Old pocket pistol found last night

[samish]

This thing is in pretty tough shape. Looks like it may have been ready to go when lost. I am also finding a few older wheats, 1911,1919s, and an unreadable in the same area. Any cleaning tips on the gun would be appreciated.

 

[Old River]

Nice find. congradulations...HH...

 

[NHBandit]

Colt made a very similar single shot .22 short pistol like that for several years. 2 versions called "Lord" & "Lady" depending on the finish. They are still made today. http://www.cabelas.com/gun-inventory---post-falls---colt---1762229-coltset-pf.shtml Most of the guys here will tell you yo use electrolosis to remove the rust. I have seen amazing results on rusted steel by soaking in a mixture of 25% molasses & 75% water. That's an old trick used by antique car restorers but for some reason, dosn't seem to be popular with detectorists. At least I've never seen any mention of it here. If you try that do it outdoors. I've been told it smells pretty bad.

 

[BuckleBoy]

Great find!!

 

[kuger]

Awesome find!!!I am not sure if you would want to use electrolosis if it has brass on it??

 

[homefires]

Most cool little Pocket or Boot Pistol.

Yep electrolysis would be the way to go but could prove detrimental to brass in combination with Steel.

You may want to try it low current, slow and sure and see what's going on.

12 VDC @ 2 or 3 hundred milliamps would be good.

The brass if any would be etched faster then the Iron or steel.


More Conductive!

Hell you may want to put it in a Lye bath first!

That would clear out some of the gunk. Brass being Copper, Zink, Lead, maybe tin would be attacted first by lye.

Red devel lye for the sink works most well.

If you start seeing brass, Flush it out and end that proccess.

Then your going to have to do your restoration by hand.

 

[kuger]

Great info Homefires,I dont use elecro much on multi metal objects so I wasnt sure?
What ever you do,do in gently and take your time....you cant take back damage!!!
Thats an awesome piece!!!

 

[Gilligan]

Ready for opinions, is a gun find like this worth taking to the police for a look and perhaps some pics, in case it is a key find in some old crime? Perhaps if you tell the cops where it was found, they may be able to tie it to a long-ago crime. Just a thought.

 

[Tennessee Treasure Hunter]

Awesome find Congratulations

 

[kuger]

Ready for opinions, is a gun find like this worth taking to the police for a look and perhaps some pics, in case it is a key find in some old crime? Perhaps if you tell the cops where it was found, they may be able to tie it to a long-ago crime. Just a thought.

I am always the first to recommend that ona newer weapon,but in this case I wouldnt.Just my opinion

 

[samish]

Thanks for all the input. I have just started metal detecting, and have very little knowledge concerning preservation of metal artifacts. However living in NW Washington. The ground is wet most of the year and pretty acidic. I will be getting lots of practice. Would trying the molasses or lye bath first effect using electrolysis later if needed? I do not have an electrolysis tank set up, and I'm anxious to get started cleaning. Some of the rust is brittle and loose. is it ok to pick that off with my finger nail, before it goes in the bath? Thanks again, TK

 

[GopherDaGold]

Nice find! I suggest a 'Gun Club' forum for those lucky few who have found old guns or cool gun parts!

 

[civilman1]

Most cool little Pocket or Boot Pistol.

Yep electrolysis would be the way to go but could prove detrimental to brass in combination with Steel.

You may want to try it low current, slow and sure and see what's going on.

12 VDC @ 2 or 3 hundred milliamps would be good.

The brass if any would be etched faster then the Iron or steel.


More Conductive!

Hell you may want to put it in a Lye bath first!

That would clear out some of the gunk. Brass being Copper, Zink, Lead, maybe tin would be attacted first by lye.

Red devel lye for the sink works most well.

If you start seeing brass, Flush it out and end that proccess.

Then your going to have to do your restoration by hand.

Excellent point....

Unless this thing was found in Ford's Theater I wouldn't mess with the authuority's with this find...Love to see the end result's when you're finished,very cool find

 

[steif]

I'm 99 3/4% percent sure that is a J Stevens single shot pocket pistol. they made many of that type, more than likely that is what it is. Colt made a similar type, but it had a brass frame. Stevens made steel frames like this. one way to more positive id is look for the way the barrel opened, side swinging will have a screw underneath the frame about halfway between the trigger and the end of the frame, stevens were called tip ups because they had a screw in the side near the front of the frame that the barrel tipped up on.

 

[ProPointer]

Hello samish,

Very nice my friend!

Thanks for sharing,
ProPointer

 

[Shortstack]

I don't know if I'd try to clean this little gun. That corrosion might be the only thing holding the whole piece together. Having said that, if you are set to clean it, then get some Kerosene or (as we used to call it) Coal Oil and soak it until the corrosion falls away. If you can't find either of those fluids, then get some well used motor oil. The acids in that used motor oil will eat at the corrosion and loosen it and the petroleum part will lube it to protect it from more rusting. That kerosene / coal oil idea has cleaned a heck of a lot of rusted tools down through the years.

 

[texan connection]

NICE.. if you clean it repost it

 

[JP]

Cool find.

 

[Trond]

Nice find. Please post pictures when you have cleaned it. :P