Antiqueing a "58 Remington

Old Dragoon · November 29, 2005, 09:10 AM

For Tinker2,

1.dis-assemble pistol. Put all the little parts and screws in a box with a lid or in a baggy (Bag and Tag) (so you don't loose the trigger spring screw like I just did)

2. clean everything with Brake Kleen and dry.

3. apply several coats of Birchwood-Casey blue and rust remover and wipe with an old clean dry rag until the pistol and parts are in the white (bright steel). clean with Brake Kleen and dry.

4. If you want to remove the touch marks from the frame and bbl. Draw file the bbl and frame with a fine flat file. Stone the areas with a fine stone to remove file marks. I place all info on the grip frame inside on the flats that are covered by the grips so someday an unsuspecting new collector will not be duped into thinking this is an old original. Pietta puts a touch mark and other marks there also.If I am converting to cartridge, this is where I cut the loading port in the frame.

5. Hand polish all stripped parts with 0000 or 000000 steel wool or 600 grit wet or dry sandpaper, use flat blocks on the flats and wrap the sandbaper around the blocks. in the rounded area wrap the sandpaper around something round that approximates the dia you are sanding.

6. Use Birchwood-Casey Plum Brown and follow the direction on the bottle. I oil between each coat and card the rust off. Clean with Brake Kleen and repat intstruction until parts are dark brown, not red. If it is red you don't have enough coats applied. Oil after the final coat and let cure overnight. Card a final time to remove the flakey rust patches.

7. I oil again and use the 600 grit wet or dry sand paper to remove some of the brown to get that well worn look.

8. this is optional, while I have the pistol apart I smooth the action. Tha is a post unto itself.

Grip aging.

1. I use the Ivory-Like Grips from Grips.com (link in a previous post). They cost $33.50 including shipping. The grips are Lilly White when received.

2. Soak in lemon or lime juice (Real Lemon or Real Lime juices are good) and Apple Cider Vinegar overnight.

3. Dry

4.Heat with a propane torch to yellow. Carefully, as they will burn. They will crack also. A small (read light depth) stress crack or two adds class to the grips. Again proceed carefully as you can ruin the grips. Sand lightly with 600 grit w/d to your liking.

Low Key · November 29, 2005, 12:04 PM

Excellent info! As soon as I can find some plum brown around here I'm going to brown up the new 58 that I stripped the finish off of a few weeks back. My Christmas list keeps getting longer.

Old Dragoon · November 29, 2005, 01:57 PM

Do you have a gunshop around that carries Muzzleloading supplies and Birchwood-Casey brand gun stuff. I'm sure Dixie Gun Works carries it. My local gun shop just got in a new supply last week. if worse comes to worse I can give you their number and they can send it to you. Wal-Mart may have it too , but in CA they just sell the permablue and blue stripper and gun oiletc. not much gun stuff at all as they do not sell guns in CA.

Remington kid · November 29, 2005, 02:25 PM

Low Key, You and Kevin need to meet somwhere and head for Dixie gun works for the day. Don't know how far away it is from you two but Tenn is only so big,Lol.

Old Dragoon, You did a great job on your "how to" post !

Your Remingtons sure look good!

MPP1423 · November 29, 2005, 04:06 PM

mike i am about 3 hours away from dixie.i bought a new grizzly 4x4 4-wheeler at abernathey's about 2 month ago and i was with in spitting distance but didnt have the time to go.i have plans on goin one day.i just ordered stuff to put together a knife from them and should be here today.cant wait!

MPP1423 · November 29, 2005, 04:07 PM

low key,just where in tn are you if you dont mind me asking?

Remington kid · November 29, 2005, 05:35 PM

Kevin, Just finished the big knife I have been working on for about 2 years whenever I felt like getting it out . Started out with a piece of steel 1/4"x3"x18", layed out the shape I wanted and started grinding it to shape. Then a lot of sanding the detail with a belt sander and the I cut a grape vine pattern on the back with files. Then it had to be heat treated ,polished and a an edge put on it. You can shave with this monster! Or you could build a fort

I bought a 600 Grizzle when they first came out. It weighed 780 lbs and not easy to get back up when you roll it. Way to much power and it really isn't needed unless you are going to race them. I sold it for $500.00 less than I paid for it with 100 miles on it

I had a 6 wheeler a few years ago and it would run curcles around a 4 wheeler anytime. You could go in water or land, up a 45 degree hill with 1000 lbs on it. It would turn on it's own access and just mow down anything in it's way.The guy who bought my house in St. Mary's ,WV wanted it so bad I sold it to him. I really have regreted that.

Cabelas opened a store here in WV but it's way up north of me, about 2.5 hours. I'm going up and spend the day this spring just looking around. It's there biggest store they have. They even have a wild life museum in it.

Low Key · November 29, 2005, 06:59 PM

We have a local shop where they have some muzzleloading supplies, but I haven't had a chance to check to see if they have the plum brown. I looked at wally world last weekend, but no dice. They have the perma blue stuff, but I didn't want that since it would just put the black back on that I just took off, Lol! If the local guy doesn't have the plum brown, I may order it from dixie instead.
Mike, congrats on finishing the KNIFE! I bet thats one fine looking hunk of steel. I was plundering through my spare closet a couple of weeks back and found an old bowie knife that I stuck up there about 4 years back to rust up on it's own. It actually turned out pretty well and looks like its seen some action so I stuck it on by gunbelt...

It's something I bought several years back for camping trips, but it looks good with the 58.

Remington kid · November 29, 2005, 07:41 PM

Yes! That knife belongs with your .44.

That really sets it off.

MPP1423 · November 29, 2005, 08:09 PM

damn low key,im not sure which i'd be more scared of, the 58 or that blade.lol.

Remington kid · November 29, 2005, 10:02 PM

Never bring a tooth pick to a knife fight with Low Key.

Low Key · November 30, 2005, 06:01 AM

I say use the right tool for the right job!

If I ever run into one o them dinosaurs mike was talkin about and it can take 6 shots from the 58 and keep coming, I've got the blade to poke out his eyes with! And I can skin him out for dinoburgers when I'm done!

The knife does go good with the pistol though. Looks like a rig that some cowboy might have worn 140 years back. Whenever I get some plum brown, I'm going to hit the knife blade with a few coats and then take it back down with some 600 grit sandpaper so that hopefully it and the 58 end up with the same finish.
Mike, lets see a pic of your finished knife if you have one, I'm curious to see how your handle turned out.

Remington kid · November 30, 2005, 06:27 AM

Low Key, You bring up something that I have been wondering about. We all talk about the civil war boy's and the cowboy's carrying these revolvers but I never hear to much about the mountain man carrying them.We all know they liked there Hawkin in the early years but later on I have to think that they would have carried there 51 or 61 navy .36 or there .44 Rem.
I'll get a picture later today and post it here. Just made a case for it last night but I think I may make another case this winter.
I had a piece of 4x4 laying on the back porch of my shop so I decided to try out the knife and split the 4x4. It took two swipes to split an 8" long 4x4

Then I cut it up in smaller pieces like it was made of butter.

Remington kid · November 30, 2005, 08:44 AM

The knife doesn't look to polished in this picture but you can see yourself in it. I was going to use mastadon ivory for the handle but was told it's not strong enough for a working knife. Very brittle due to age so I used some very dark black walnut I had.
[IMG]

[/IMG]

Old Dragoon · November 30, 2005, 09:00 AM

Now that's a knife! LOL
I need to look for a knife for my rig. There should be a gunshow in my area before Christmas so I'll go look around to see what might be available.

Low Key · November 30, 2005, 09:19 AM

NICE!!!

I bought mine, but there's nothing like making your own!

MPP1423 · November 30, 2005, 11:37 AM

Well Guys,i Got My Green Mountian Blade From Dixie Yesterday And The Handle Blanks But Im Not Sure Where To Start On Forming The Handles?i Bet I Have To Go Thru A Few Pair 1st Before I Get It Right Cause Its My 1st Time.anyone Have Some Hints?

tinker2 · November 30, 2005, 08:37 PM

Old Dragoon
Quote:
“tinker2,
I started a new how to thread for you.
I'd be glad to Antique one for you.”

Thanks, I really do appreciate you going to the trouble
to post it and appreciate your offer to antique one
for me. I might just take you up on that sometime if
there is something that I can do for you.

I don’t have anything in the works now and I guess that
I won’t this winter. On the 21 of October, I was the
victim of a hit and run. Left laying, bleeding in the street.

I have a appointment with some orthopedic surgeons on
the 13 of December for reconstruction surgery for my
shoulder, upper arm, wrist, and hand. At this time it just
hangs by the flesh.

So anyways, I do appreciate you doing this. I am always
looking for new and/or better ways of doing things.
I do use the plum brown and like it. I am looking forward
to using the lemon or lime juice and Apple Cider Vinegar.
I think that I have the prefect test grip for it.

I did say that I really do like what your guns turned out like.

Thanks
Happy Holidays

Old Dragoon · November 30, 2005, 09:59 PM

Tinker2,
I'm glad you feel good enough to read and write on this forum. Sounds like you'll be laid up most of the winter.
Keep reading this forum and we'll try to keep your spirits up. We can always resort to bathtub jokes.

Glad I could be of some help.

Hang in there, and I wish you a speedy recovery. Before you know it you'll be antiqueing one.

Steve499 · November 30, 2005, 11:10 PM

Keep his spirits up? Heck, he's keeping mine up! I'm still smiling every now and then when I picture climbing into his bathtub parts retention system!
Keep us posted on your progress,Tinker2. Oh, do you think a two or four pulley system would work best for lowering that top tub?
Steve

Steve499 · November 30, 2005, 11:26 PM

Kevin, I just make sure the two handle scales are flat so they contact the blade evenly and epoxy them in place. If the knife is pre-drilled for rivets you will need to decide how thick you want the handle to be and recess the rivet holes to the proper depth before you glue it all together. Then just stand at a bench grinder and grind away what don't look good to you. I prefer to use brazing rod for pins instead of rivets, just think the small brass pins look better. It's important to use epoxy under any handle to keep the tang from rusting out.
Steve

MPP1423 · December 1, 2005, 02:40 AM

Thanks Steve.i Have Never Took On A Knife Task.well,the Blade Itself Is Already Done I Just Have To Make The Handles.i Think Thats Where I Messed Up ,i Tried To Make The Handles Before Puting Them On The Blade And Of Course Got Them Too Small.i'll Take Your Advise And Try To Do It Right This Time.lol.yea,the Bathtub Joke Was A Hoot.i Beleive Our Pal Mike Come Up With That.lol.

November 29, 2005, 09:10 AM	#1
Old Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2005 Location: The Republic of Californi Posts: 581	Antiqueing a "58 Remington For Tinker2, 1.dis-assemble pistol. Put all the little parts and screws in a box with a lid or in a baggy (Bag and Tag) (so you don't loose the trigger spring screw like I just did) 2. clean everything with Brake Kleen and dry. 3. apply several coats of Birchwood-Casey blue and rust remover and wipe with an old clean dry rag until the pistol and parts are in the white (bright steel). clean with Brake Kleen and dry. 4. If you want to remove the touch marks from the frame and bbl. Draw file the bbl and frame with a fine flat file. Stone the areas with a fine stone to remove file marks. I place all info on the grip frame inside on the flats that are covered by the grips so someday an unsuspecting new collector will not be duped into thinking this is an old original. Pietta puts a touch mark and other marks there also.If I am converting to cartridge, this is where I cut the loading port in the frame. 5. Hand polish all stripped parts with 0000 or 000000 steel wool or 600 grit wet or dry sandpaper, use flat blocks on the flats and wrap the sandbaper around the blocks. in the rounded area wrap the sandpaper around something round that approximates the dia you are sanding. 6. Use Birchwood-Casey Plum Brown and follow the direction on the bottle. I oil between each coat and card the rust off. Clean with Brake Kleen and repat intstruction until parts are dark brown, not red. If it is red you don't have enough coats applied. Oil after the final coat and let cure overnight. Card a final time to remove the flakey rust patches. 7. I oil again and use the 600 grit wet or dry sand paper to remove some of the brown to get that well worn look. 8. this is optional, while I have the pistol apart I smooth the action. Tha is a post unto itself. Grip aging. 1. I use the Ivory-Like Grips from Grips.com (link in a previous post). They cost $33.50 including shipping. The grips are Lilly White when received. 2. Soak in lemon or lime juice (Real Lemon or Real Lime juices are good) and Apple Cider Vinegar overnight. 3. Dry 4.Heat with a propane torch to yellow. Carefully, as they will burn. They will crack also. A small (read light depth) stress crack or two adds class to the grips. Again proceed carefully as you can ruin the grips. Sand lightly with 600 grit w/d to your liking.

November 29, 2005, 12:04 PM	#2
Low Key Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: In the woods of TN Posts: 298	Excellent info! As soon as I can find some plum brown around here I'm going to brown up the new 58 that I stripped the finish off of a few weeks back. My Christmas list keeps getting longer. __________________

November 29, 2005, 06:59 PM	#8
Low Key Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: In the woods of TN Posts: 298	We have a local shop where they have some muzzleloading supplies, but I haven't had a chance to check to see if they have the plum brown. I looked at wally world last weekend, but no dice. They have the perma blue stuff, but I didn't want that since it would just put the black back on that I just took off, Lol! If the local guy doesn't have the plum brown, I may order it from dixie instead. Mike, congrats on finishing the KNIFE! I bet thats one fine looking hunk of steel. I was plundering through my spare closet a couple of weeks back and found an old bowie knife that I stuck up there about 4 years back to rust up on it's own. It actually turned out pretty well and looks like its seen some action so I stuck it on by gunbelt... It's something I bought several years back for camping trips, but it looks good with the 58. __________________

November 30, 2005, 06:01 AM	#12
Low Key Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: In the woods of TN Posts: 298	I say use the right tool for the right job! If I ever run into one o them dinosaurs mike was talkin about and it can take 6 shots from the 58 and keep coming, I've got the blade to poke out his eyes with! And I can skin him out for dinoburgers when I'm done! The knife does go good with the pistol though. Looks like a rig that some cowboy might have worn 140 years back. Whenever I get some plum brown, I'm going to hit the knife blade with a few coats and then take it back down with some 600 grit sandpaper so that hopefully it and the 58 end up with the same finish. Mike, lets see a pic of your finished knife if you have one, I'm curious to see how your handle turned out. __________________

November 30, 2005, 08:44 AM	#14
Remington kid Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: South Central West Virginia Posts: 611	The knife doesn't look to polished in this picture but you can see yourself in it. I was going to use mastadon ivory for the handle but was told it's not strong enough for a working knife. Very brittle due to age so I used some very dark black walnut I had. [IMG][/IMG]

November 29, 2005, 01:57 PM	#3
Old Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2005 Location: The Republic of Californi Posts: 581	Do you have a gunshop around that carries Muzzleloading supplies and Birchwood-Casey brand gun stuff. I'm sure Dixie Gun Works carries it. My local gun shop just got in a new supply last week. if worse comes to worse I can give you their number and they can send it to you. Wal-Mart may have it too , but in CA they just sell the permablue and blue stripper and gun oiletc. not much gun stuff at all as they do not sell guns in CA.

November 29, 2005, 02:25 PM	#4
Remington kid Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: South Central West Virginia Posts: 611	Low Key, You and Kevin need to meet somwhere and head for Dixie gun works for the day. Don't know how far away it is from you two but Tenn is only so big,Lol. Old Dragoon, You did a great job on your "how to" post ! Your Remingtons sure look good!

November 29, 2005, 04:06 PM	#5
MPP1423 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2005 Location: GOODLETTSVILLE,TN Posts: 298	mike i am about 3 hours away from dixie.i bought a new grizzly 4x4 4-wheeler at abernathey's about 2 month ago and i was with in spitting distance but didnt have the time to go.i have plans on goin one day.i just ordered stuff to put together a knife from them and should be here today.cant wait!

November 29, 2005, 04:07 PM	#6
MPP1423 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2005 Location: GOODLETTSVILLE,TN Posts: 298	low key,just where in tn are you if you dont mind me asking?

November 29, 2005, 05:35 PM	#7
Remington kid Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: South Central West Virginia Posts: 611	Kevin, Just finished the big knife I have been working on for about 2 years whenever I felt like getting it out . Started out with a piece of steel 1/4"x3"x18", layed out the shape I wanted and started grinding it to shape. Then a lot of sanding the detail with a belt sander and the I cut a grape vine pattern on the back with files. Then it had to be heat treated ,polished and a an edge put on it. You can shave with this monster! Or you could build a fort I bought a 600 Grizzle when they first came out. It weighed 780 lbs and not easy to get back up when you roll it. Way to much power and it really isn't needed unless you are going to race them. I sold it for $500.00 less than I paid for it with 100 miles on it I had a 6 wheeler a few years ago and it would run curcles around a 4 wheeler anytime. You could go in water or land, up a 45 degree hill with 1000 lbs on it. It would turn on it's own access and just mow down anything in it's way.The guy who bought my house in St. Mary's ,WV wanted it so bad I sold it to him. I really have regreted that. Cabelas opened a store here in WV but it's way up north of me, about 2.5 hours. I'm going up and spend the day this spring just looking around. It's there biggest store they have. They even have a wild life museum in it.

November 29, 2005, 07:41 PM	#9
Remington kid Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: South Central West Virginia Posts: 611	Yes! That knife belongs with your .44. That really sets it off.

November 29, 2005, 08:09 PM	#10
MPP1423 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2005 Location: GOODLETTSVILLE,TN Posts: 298	damn low key,im not sure which i'd be more scared of, the 58 or that blade.lol.

November 29, 2005, 10:02 PM	#11
Remington kid Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: South Central West Virginia Posts: 611	Never bring a tooth pick to a knife fight with Low Key.

November 30, 2005, 06:27 AM	#13
Remington kid Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2005 Location: South Central West Virginia Posts: 611	Low Key, You bring up something that I have been wondering about. We all talk about the civil war boy's and the cowboy's carrying these revolvers but I never hear to much about the mountain man carrying them.We all know they liked there Hawkin in the early years but later on I have to think that they would have carried there 51 or 61 navy .36 or there .44 Rem. I'll get a picture later today and post it here. Just made a case for it last night but I think I may make another case this winter. I had a piece of 4x4 laying on the back porch of my shop so I decided to try out the knife and split the 4x4. It took two swipes to split an 8" long 4x4 Then I cut it up in smaller pieces like it was made of butter.

November 30, 2005, 09:00 AM	#15
Old Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2005 Location: The Republic of Californi Posts: 581	Now that's a knife! LOL I need to look for a knife for my rig. There should be a gunshow in my area before Christmas so I'll go look around to see what might be available.

November 30, 2005, 09:19 AM	#16
Low Key Senior Member Join Date: September 4, 2005 Location: In the woods of TN Posts: 298	NICE!!! I bought mine, but there's nothing like making your own! __________________

November 30, 2005, 11:37 AM	#17
MPP1423 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2005 Location: GOODLETTSVILLE,TN Posts: 298	Well Guys,i Got My Green Mountian Blade From Dixie Yesterday And The Handle Blanks But Im Not Sure Where To Start On Forming The Handles?i Bet I Have To Go Thru A Few Pair 1st Before I Get It Right Cause Its My 1st Time.anyone Have Some Hints?

November 30, 2005, 08:37 PM	#18
tinker2 Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Dakotas Posts: 144	Thanks Old Dragoon Quote: “tinker2, I started a new how to thread for you. I'd be glad to Antique one for you.” Thanks, I really do appreciate you going to the trouble to post it and appreciate your offer to antique one for me. I might just take you up on that sometime if there is something that I can do for you. I don’t have anything in the works now and I guess that I won’t this winter. On the 21 of October, I was the victim of a hit and run. Left laying, bleeding in the street. I have a appointment with some orthopedic surgeons on the 13 of December for reconstruction surgery for my shoulder, upper arm, wrist, and hand. At this time it just hangs by the flesh. So anyways, I do appreciate you doing this. I am always looking for new and/or better ways of doing things. I do use the plum brown and like it. I am looking forward to using the lemon or lime juice and Apple Cider Vinegar. I think that I have the prefect test grip for it. I did say that I really do like what your guns turned out like. Thanks Happy Holidays Last edited by tinker2; December 1, 2005 at 08:03 PM.

November 30, 2005, 09:59 PM	#19
Old Dragoon Senior Member Join Date: October 31, 2005 Location: The Republic of Californi Posts: 581	Tinker2, I'm glad you feel good enough to read and write on this forum. Sounds like you'll be laid up most of the winter. Keep reading this forum and we'll try to keep your spirits up. We can always resort to bathtub jokes. Glad I could be of some help. Hang in there, and I wish you a speedy recovery. Before you know it you'll be antiqueing one.

November 30, 2005, 11:10 PM	#20
Steve499 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 533	Keep his spirits up? Heck, he's keeping mine up! I'm still smiling every now and then when I picture climbing into his bathtub parts retention system! Keep us posted on your progress,Tinker2. Oh, do you think a two or four pulley system would work best for lowering that top tub? Steve

November 30, 2005, 11:26 PM	#21
Steve499 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2004 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 533	Kevin, I just make sure the two handle scales are flat so they contact the blade evenly and epoxy them in place. If the knife is pre-drilled for rivets you will need to decide how thick you want the handle to be and recess the rivet holes to the proper depth before you glue it all together. Then just stand at a bench grinder and grind away what don't look good to you. I prefer to use brazing rod for pins instead of rivets, just think the small brass pins look better. It's important to use epoxy under any handle to keep the tang from rusting out. Steve

December 1, 2005, 02:40 AM	#22
MPP1423 Senior Member Join Date: September 10, 2005 Location: GOODLETTSVILLE,TN Posts: 298	Thanks Steve.i Have Never Took On A Knife Task.well,the Blade Itself Is Already Done I Just Have To Make The Handles.i Think Thats Where I Messed Up ,i Tried To Make The Handles Before Puting Them On The Blade And Of Course Got Them Too Small.i'll Take Your Advise And Try To Do It Right This Time.lol.yea,the Bathtub Joke Was A Hoot.i Beleive Our Pal Mike Come Up With That.lol.