Browning MG handle

[Steve T]

Hi all

This was found on an RRPG dig at the British army dump we've been digging. It was found a few months back now by Jayh and still needs cleaning.

Any tips we can give Jayh on cleaning this relic would be much appreciated.

Jammy git for finding it !!!!!







And here's one on a Browning for reference





It appears to be of all metal construction so whatever Jayh does to clean it has got to be gentle as there is a lot of corrosion.

Steve T

[KradSpam]

Some of the Eastern front diggers on here have shown techniques using lemon juice etc, with great results.

[m3bobby]

Its a aluminium handle so I suppose the aluminium oxide corrosion is beyond recovery, the one in the photo is the later 'Armor steel' version cast all in one. I do like the lemon idea, a mild acid I suppose. A chemist may have an idea of what would react with ally oxide in a better way.

http://browningmgs.com/Backplates/Images/FM23-55.jpg

Forget that the pic says the ally one is for a 1919A6, its actually a 1917 back plate modified with a cast ally grip for the 1919A4

[Steve T]

A chemist may have an idea of what would react with ally oxide in a better way.

LOL ! That'll be me then

M3 is correct. The oxidised (white) areas are beyond recovery so it is about stabilising the relic. I would suggest cleaning it in mild soapy water with a stiff scrubbing brush and may be a small wire brush, (like the ones used for cleaning BBQs), to remove all the oxidisation. I'd then dry it and leave it for a week or two and see what happens. Only after this treatment would I even think about lemon juice/citric acid/white vinegar treatment.

[Steve T]

And here we have the result of the cleaning.

Started with hot soapy water and a small wire brush. Then Brillo pad all over. 6 hours in vinegar. Cleaned again in hot soapy water and then dried. I then ran the electric drill & wire brush attachment over it once or twice.

HEY PRESTO !

Good as new. Kind of.

I've put the before and after shots next to each other so you can see the difference

[jayh]

Wow !!!!!!! Told you that you would be better off with it than me !! Very very impressed !

[Scout]

Good find.

[Steve T]

Wow !!!!!!! Told you that you would be better off with it than me !! Very very impressed !

Hehehehe Good at cleaning stuff ain't I

Many MANY thanks for the trip today Jay and the swap of finds. The handle is already in my cupboard, top shelf, bang in the middle

Get those M104 top caps in vinegar see if you can loosen the rust. Mine doesn't appear to be bad quality steel at all so hopefully you can recover the markings on them.



Steve T

PS The weekend of the big dig, you're quite welcome to stay at mine if you want, or at least nip over to see my war room if you don't wanna stay