How to Properly store an antique gun?
Hello everyone,
I'm new to the forum and have been looking through the old posts but have been unable to find a similar topic to my subject. I have inherited an 1837 Chatellerault Naval Pistol that appears to be in excellent condition and I would like to keep it that way.
Could anyone help me with some advice as far as what to wrap it in, should it be oiled, airtight, sunlight, etc? I have minimal experience/knowledge of dealing with antiques so any help would be appreciated!
Thank you for your time.
Frank
I'm new to the forum and have been looking through the old posts but have been unable to find a similar topic to my subject. I have inherited an 1837 Chatellerault Naval Pistol that appears to be in excellent condition and I would like to keep it that way.
Could anyone help me with some advice as far as what to wrap it in, should it be oiled, airtight, sunlight, etc? I have minimal experience/knowledge of dealing with antiques so any help would be appreciated!
Thank you for your time.
Frank
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Keep it out of the sun, and stored in an environment that is consistantly in the 72 degree range and humidity free. No oil rags in contact with the gun as it will just soak into the wood over time. I use Hoppe's Elite long term preservative oil...does not evaporate over time like most oils do. Store in a cardboard box and purchase a small can of gel dessicant (from Midway or others) to place in with it. Use clean rags to line the bottom of the box and take it out at LEAST once a year and oil it again on all the exposed metal surfaces and the inside of the barrel. That should do it. 0 -
What hurts antique firearms or furniture for that matter is a flucuation of temperature and humidity. This flucuation causes movement. Kind of like bending a wire coat hanger back and forth quickly until it breaks. It takes a lot longer, but it is still movement.
I work at a military museum, and we keep our firearms stored in a room at sixty degrees with a humidity level of fifty five percent. I realize most people can't do this, so shoot for stability over fluctuation.
We also do not use oil on our firearms, we wax them. The wax does not attract dust or dirt like oil. Canuba wax works well. A little goes a long way, and if they are not handled a lot, will last a long time.[:)]
As an aside..if anyone has old leather cartridge boxes or holsters that have an orange powdery look to them,( this is called orange rust ), store them in plastic container like Rubber Maid. THe orange rust is caused by acids and pollutants in the air.0 -
ltc's advice is consistent with that given by the Springfield Armory National Museum. Obviously, few of us have the equipment needed to keep the temperature & humidity in the exactly perfect range, but you should be able to keep them reasonably constant in your gun safe.
Either a dessicant or Goldenrod lamp (available from Brownell's) will keep the humidity from getting too high. A heavy duty plastic bag, sealed with a piece of VPI paper, works well for many folks. If it will be removed often, just keep it in your safe in a gun sock to prevent handling marks.
I would not keep it anywhere near any type of cardboard, especially a shoe box, as the high acid content will ruin a gun.
And, use white cotton gloves when handling it.
Neal0 -
I agree with the Wax I use Renaissance micro crystalline wax - polish .One other product that can be used on Metal Wood & Leather without damage to any is Ballistol this product is NONTOXIC BIODEGRADABLE and does a very good job. I would wrap in Wax paper if you want longer term protection and don't want to show it often to friends that visit. 0 -
Keep clean and dry.
At least once a year take it out and clean it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by ltcdoty
What hurts antique firearms or furniture for that matter is a flucuation of temperature and humidity. This flucuation causes movement. Kind of like bending a wire coat hanger back and forth quickly until it breaks. It takes a lot longer, but it is still movement.
I work at a military museum, and we keep our firearms stored in a room at sixty degrees with a humidity level of fifty five percent. I realize most people can't do this, so shoot for stability over fluctuation.
We also do not use oil on our firearms, we wax them. The wax does not attract dust or dirt like oil. Canuba wax works well. A little goes a long way, and if they are not handled a lot, will last a long time.[:)]
As an aside..if anyone has old leather cartridge boxes or holsters that have an orange powdery look to them,( this is called orange rust ), store them in plastic container like Rubber Maid. THe orange rust is caused by acids and pollutants in the air.
Carnuba car wax?0 -
See if you can find BriWax...have used it on a few of the pieces I have displayed. Works very well on wood and does the trick on metal as well. I use oil on my main body of guns as I try to shoot them as often as possible (Once a year, sadly in some cases)and the wax doesn't lend itself to a functioning firearm as well as it does a museum piece....perhaps I misunderstood the question to begin with, as I tend to handle my firearms frequently and think oil is best. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by coledigger4
quote:Originally posted by ltcdoty
What hurts antique firearms or furniture for that matter is a flucuation of temperature and humidity. This flucuation causes movement. Kind of like bending a wire coat hanger back and forth quickly until it breaks. It takes a lot longer, but it is still movement.
I work at a military museum, and we keep our firearms stored in a room at sixty degrees with a humidity level of fifty five percent. I realize most people can't do this, so shoot for stability over fluctuation.
We also do not use oil on our firearms, we wax them. The wax does not attract dust or dirt like oil. Canuba wax works well. A little goes a long way, and if they are not handled a lot, will last a long time.[:)]
As an aside..if anyone has old leather cartridge boxes or holsters that have an orange powdery look to them,( this is called orange rust ), store them in plastic container like Rubber Maid. THe orange rust is caused by acids and pollutants in the air.
Carnuba car wax?
Yep.. a very light coating will protect the surface of the wood and metal.0
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