New guy questions

[FDC89]

Hello. I'm new to the forum and muzzleloading in general. I'm the proud owner of a new to me Fusil-de-Chasse and I have some questions.

The last owner had it for a while but says he never shot it much. It's a really nice looking gun but bare wood and unsealed. Were Fusils historically sealed or left untreated?

I took it out and shot it a few times and then took it home to clean it. I checked it the next day fully breaking it down and taking the barrel out. While the lock and inside the barrel were good from where I cleaned it the day before under the barrel and the tang screw had a fair amount of rust built up. Not a lot but enough that I wonder if removing the barrel shouldn't be a normal step in cleaning. Is this much rust normal? When I clean the gun after shooting should I have to take the barrel out every time?

Lastly, I've heard that these guns usually had a patina build up to protect the surface. What is this exactly and what is the best way to go about creating a nice controlled patina?

Thank you and if these questions have been asked before I apologize for my ignorance.

 

[Rifleman1776]

If ever a post from a new ml shooter screamed "I need a local guy or club to help me", this is it. I/we could help a lot more if we could see your firelock. However, I'll pitch in, some may disagree with what I say. In the day, your stock would have been sealed or oiled to protect it. The barrel probably would have been 'browned'. That is a controlled rust process that protects the barrel. And, if properly maintained no harm would come from regular use. Do clean, sand and seal the stock. A high quality boiled linseed oil is just fine. Welcome and good luck. Keep asking questions.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Please help yourself first by making some patch lube that will also protect inside and out by absorbing salts. Melt some beeswax or other pure animal or vegetable fat and cut it with olive oil to a greased consistency.

:hatsoff:

B.

 

[rdstrain49]

FDC, your cheapest solution is to get rid of that accursed thing before addiction sets in. If you are already hooked, oh well and welcome.

 

[Cruzatte]

If ever a post from a new ml shooter screamed "I need a local guy or club to help me", this is it. ... In the day, your stock would have been sealed or oiled to protect it. The barrel probably would have been 'browned'.... Do clean, sand and seal the stock. A high quality boiled linseed oil is just fine. Welcome and good luck. Keep asking questions.

I'm in the process of building an FDC. And while I'm at it, am doing all the reading I can to learn about the finish of these fine arms. So what I've found so far seems to indicate that all iron; barrels, locks, furniture, etc. were polished armory bright. The apparent discoloration which appears to be browning is, I suspect, due to the passage of time, not a factory finish applied either to the Tulle examples or the St. Etienne copies which came later.
May I suggest that the OP get a copy of The Fusil de Tulle in New France 1691-1741 by Russel Bouchard. It's available from Track of the Wolf

 

[Rifleman1776]

The apparent discoloration which appears to be browning is, I suspect, due to the passage of time,

Agree. I should have added what to do is what he wants. A bright barrel can be very difficult to maintain and usually does not acquire patina evenly. A matter of choice.

 

[Pete G]

A good grey finish can be obtained with phosphoric acid. It will also be somewhat rust resistant.

 

[Eric Krewson]

Lots of traditional suggestions offered; I take a different slant.

To finish your stock you need to take all the parts off. Do a search on stock finishes here and pick one, lots are much easier to use and provide a better finish than linseed oil. I used walnut sealer and Tru-oil on a gun I am just finishing up. You will have to remove all the parts from your stock to refinish it. Nothing will fit back if you slop much finish in the inlets so you will have to do a little careful scraping to get stuff back in.

You can either brown your parts or cold blue them and rub them back to gray with a scotch bright pad. Gray is a lousy finish but properly oiled it won't rust.

There is no need to pull your barrel to clean it, clean off the rust you encountered and put a light coat of oil on the underside, it shouldn't rust again. I like a coat of Barricade on the metal of my grayed firearms, it keeps them stable and rust free.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Congratulation at your age coming into an FDC, and welcome. :thumbsup:

hotoSmile: Several would be good!

LD

 

[Cruzatte]

Congratulation at your age coming into an FDC, and welcome. :thumbsup:

hotoSmile: Several would be good!

LD

Agree with with need for photos! I just love me some FDC porn. :haha: :thumbsup:

 

[spudnut]

A good grey finish can be obtained with phosphoric acid. It will also be somewhat rust resistant.

another vey safe and easy way is repeated coats of plain yellow mustard,clean the barrel of all oils with alcohol,aply mustard and let sit overnight,clean it off and card with burlap, reapply till its as dark as you want,about two or three times worked for me,the vinager in the mustard works nice and stays in place while it works