Look at what I just found......

W

wine9er

New member
a gunrange buddy told me that his father had put a Mauser Broomhandle away in storage after the war. When he opened the case he noted that the gun had been packed in a wax like substance which had congealed into a solid.

He wanted to know if I wanted it. Didn't know much so I went to TFL search engine, found terrific threads including one just this mo. from "SHEAMAN" which had some expert commentary and wonderful pictures.

My questions are--will the solidified goo harm the wood or finish?
How best to extract the gun? He says that the serial nos. appear to match and condition looks good---what should I offer? What is it worth?
 
If the congealed substance is ....

cosmoline, soak the thing in diesel fuel. It'll dissolve the cosmoline.


Go slow. Resist the urge to use a crow bar or chainsaw or something.

Will the goo hurt the finish and wood. Probably not the finish. Possibly the wood, and the diesel fuel will soak into the wood and discolor it. If you hang the grips and gently heat them (90 degrees or so), the diesel will drip out.

Go slow. Soak and toothbruch. Soak and toothbrush. Perhaps a brass toothbrush, but gently.
 
Use something like Simple Green or Purple Power. Put the gun in the bathtub. Soak it real good with the soap. Let it work for a half hour or so and remove with boiling water and a toothbrush. The boiling water will also disolve the cosmo. The gun will quickly heat up so that when you remove it from the water, it will dry almost instantly.

If you get done and the grips have been bleeched out, simply rub some linseed oil into them.

I would love to be in your shoes. Sounds like a very neat gun.
 
If you're in California he may not be able to transfer it to you except through a FFL. Stupid, I know, but that's the law. In addition, you'll have to go through the waiting period.
 
What a fun project. Kinda like lookin for the prize in a box of Cracker-Jacks only much better.

Sam....Optomist...."I know there is a pony in here somewhere."
 
Hi, Wine9er,

When you said "wood" some folks assumed that the pistol has the holster stock with it. Is that the case or were you just talking about the grips?

If only the grips, a lot becomes easier, although the Mauser C96 with an original German-made stock has been removed from the purview of the NFA and is now simply a pistol under Federal law.

Cleaning the pistol with hot water will work as long as the metal parts are hot enough to air dry. But DO NOT put wood in hot water. Scrape off what you can with a soft scraper and then use a solvent and a rag on the rest. I have found G96 Gun Treatment to do a pretty good job removing cosmoline without harming the wood.

In any case, disassemble the pistol and treat each part separately. Old cosmoline gets hard and there is almost a temptation to use power tools (chainsaw!?) or steel scrapers, but don't. You can use a brass bristle "tooth brush" available at gun shops and hardware stores. Diesel fuel or gasoline will do a good job, but KEEP AWAY FROM FLAME AND DO NOT BREATHE THE FUMES.

Jim
 
Gasoline, Diesel, MEK--what about Plutonium?

Just kidding.

All those things are dangerous. I've had very good luck with a regular nylon toothbrush and 100% Denatured Alcohol Solvent, available at most hardware stores.

Regards.
 
Jim:
Why not put water on the wood ? I am on my 13th milsurp rifle and cleaned them all up just like I described. I didn't see any problem with the wood. Maybe I need to re evaluate.
 
clarification & question

Archie, Jim K, 444---
The package does include the full holster stock. Gunrange buddy did say while the gun appearance appeared first rate (packed 60+ yrs.) he can see some "tiny cracks" in the wood. Hence the discussion about water becomes very relevant, first how to remove the lard w/o harm and now how to restore the hollow holster sleeve.
Did I mention he'd sell for $750? Seems reasonable given the unique appearance and the enthusiasm TFL'ers are showing on the 2 current threads. Comment?
 
I've had great luck in getting off the cosmoline by melting it down with an old hair dryer. I just took a couple of mosin 91/30's to the car wash where I used the tire and engine degreaser on them, works like a charm, but gets you some strange looks.
 
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