Good news is the magazine tube is easily replaced if needed (compared to other parts). You'll likely find the worst rust under the wood, especially the forend. On-line diagrams and disassembly instructions are available, but FIRST, just take the stock off and clean it up a bit, then turn to the metal. Use a perfectly fitting screwdriver if possible. Any which wouldn't un-do easily got a shot of break-free. When I cleaned up the family 1889 Marlin of 1890's vintage, I used some WD-40 on a rag to wipe it all down (stock and metal), then used a pick to pick out crud from the screw slots. All thoughts, advice, opinions, pointers, and general words of wisdom gratefully received and appreciated. Anything special to consider here? Are there 25 gauge bore brushes?Īnd then there's the basics: what the heck is the tear down procedure for one of these bad boys? I shot a little 22 target in high school, and got plenty of experience cleaning M16s/M60s in the Army, but I haven't owned a gun in 20 years. Am I totally off base here? What about using brass brushes instead of plastic? My plan is to attack it with water, gun oil, wd40 for the rust, rags, stiff plastic brushes, small picks, and navel jelly for the rust I can't get with the wd40. There's dirt and rust as you can see in the pics, but nothing that a little time and elbow grease can't get a handle on. What I would like to do first is clean it up and stop any more damage from being done. I'm a hands on, tool using sort of guy though, and want to do what work I can until I really need a specialist, but I really want to make sure that I do no harm.
It seems to be in pretty good condition to me considering its lack of care, but I will have it inspected by a local shop before doing anything crazy like chambering a round.
I plan to keep it in one form or another, but my preference is to have a working piece not a museum piece.
In doing research I ran across this site, and I'm hoping for a little help/advice. Once I realized that I was looking at a Winchester lever gun that was my grandfathers, I wrapped my arms around it and have refused to let go. (I don't remember it as I would have grabbed had I seen it, but that's what mom says, and who am I to argue.) My step father passed this last week, and I discovered it in his closet. It was my grandfathers and was found behind my grandmothers water heater when she passed several years ago. I recently inherited a Winchester model 53 25-20.