Clean or not to clean

[Arkie72327]

I just got an 1836 dated 1816 Contract musket by Pomeroy. It is a "cone in barrel" conversion from flintlock to percussion. It is in pretty nice condition and an unpitted bore. The metal appears to have turned a blackish/brownish patina. As a type 3 I know it was originally bright, and where I take the bands off it is bright. Do I strip the barrel back to bright or leave it as is?

 

[64Springer]

You could use 40 grit sandpaper, a sandblaster, a stiff wire wheel, or you could leave it alone, appreciate its hard life and just apply oil.

 

[2 shots]

let it be.... you cant go back... if you what it to look new, buy a new gun.

 

[Conquerordie]

Leave it alone! Don't clean it! Just don't!

 

[Edm]

Leave it. It earned that look.

 

[Arkie72327]

I appreciate the input, I have never owned a gun that was originally "in the white" so I am not familiar with what is a faux pas on patina on them. It will get oiled and preserved, and shot

 

[Kansas Jake]

Most antiques have a large percentage of their market value wiped out if vigorously cleaned or refinished. Guns, cars, or furniture. It doesn’t matter.

 

[2 shots]

dont forget coins.

 

[Nav]

You can only approximate that patina. An expert can tell if it's real or faux. Faux is worth nuthin'.

Kansas jake is spot on. I have a some crumby pieces of eight and a couple of doubloons (one really nice and sharp) that have coral on them, and they're worth almost double with the coral growing on them than they are in perfect condition.

Seems stupid to say, but antiques aren't new. If they've been taken care of the age is half the alure. The only think I will do to an antique gun is clean the bore if I plan to shoot it.

 

[Conquerordie]

Just becareful if you choose to shoot it. The cleaning products used could take that patina off, or at least make it look different in the spot it touches.