Cleaning metal on Martini Henry

Polishrifleman · February 7, 2006, 12:59 PM

I just picked this up and would like to know what is the best way to shine this up or should I not do it. It is a Martini Henry 1881 manufactured by Enfield. Also I can't get the action to open up and don't want to force it. Any ideas would be great.

Thanks.

Dfariswheel · February 7, 2006, 03:12 PM

These rifles are collector's items with some value.

"Shining it up" will destroy whatever value it has.

The best course is to clean the metal with bore solvent or oil to remove any dirt or dried grease.
To do this, just gently wipe the metal with a cloth and oil or solvent.

As for the action being frozen.
CAREFULLY remove the wood, then liberally coat the metal inside and out with Kroil. Allow to soak for several days to a week.
This should free up the action so it will open.

Once it's freed up, carefully disassemble it, and clean out all the dried grease and grime.
Coat with a good lubricant like CLP Breakfree and reassemble.

If you don't know how to disassemble it, or don't feel competent to do so without damaging a collector's rifle, take it to a gunsmith.

The key here is NOT to damage the "patina" that has built up over the last 120 years or so.

Shine it up, and you'll cause a great loss of dollar value, and will forever destroy it's collector's value.

tINY · February 8, 2006, 06:46 PM

It has collectors value if it is inserviceable condition. Didn't somebody just import a mess of them from Tibet?

-tINY

solvability · February 8, 2006, 09:13 PM

Nepal - close but no Tibet

Polishrifleman · February 9, 2006, 12:35 PM

I'm pretty sure this is original I purchased it from a friend of mines dad who has had it since the 50's, it doesn't seem to have any of the errors that a Khyber Pass knock off is associated with (I think I spelled Khyber correctly).

Thanks for the responses so far.

Harry Bonar · February 9, 2006, 05:38 PM

Dear Sir:
DO NOT, "clean the metal."
The brown "patina" is part of the metal that has beautifully oxidized and forms a great part of the value of the fine rifle!
Listen to Dfariswheel!

Harry B.

February 9, 2006, 05:38 PM	#6
Harry Bonar Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Location: In the Vincent, Ohio general area. Posts: 1,725	"cleaning metal" Dear Sir: DO NOT, "clean the metal." The brown "patina" is part of the metal that has beautifully oxidized and forms a great part of the value of the fine rifle! Listen to Dfariswheel! Harry B.

February 7, 2006, 03:12 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 5,138	These rifles are collector's items with some value. "Shining it up" will destroy whatever value it has. The best course is to clean the metal with bore solvent or oil to remove any dirt or dried grease. To do this, just gently wipe the metal with a cloth and oil or solvent. As for the action being frozen. CAREFULLY remove the wood, then liberally coat the metal inside and out with Kroil. Allow to soak for several days to a week. This should free up the action so it will open. Once it's freed up, carefully disassemble it, and clean out all the dried grease and grime. Coat with a good lubricant like CLP Breakfree and reassemble. If you don't know how to disassemble it, or don't feel competent to do so without damaging a collector's rifle, take it to a gunsmith. The key here is NOT to damage the "patina" that has built up over the last 120 years or so. Shine it up, and you'll cause a great loss of dollar value, and will forever destroy it's collector's value.

February 8, 2006, 06:46 PM	#3
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,541	It has collectors value if it is inserviceable condition. Didn't somebody just import a mess of them from Tibet? -tINY

February 8, 2006, 09:13 PM	#4
solvability Member Join Date: March 5, 2005 Location: HSV Posts: 43	Nepal - close but no Tibet

February 9, 2006, 12:35 PM	#5
Polishrifleman Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 76	I'm pretty sure this is original I purchased it from a friend of mines dad who has had it since the 50's, it doesn't seem to have any of the errors that a Khyber Pass knock off is associated with (I think I spelled Khyber correctly). Thanks for the responses so far.