Winchester Legendary Lawman receiver discoloration

[Scott Tschirhart]

I picked up an old Winchester 94 Legendary Lawman commemorative some time back. It looked like the receiver was burned, but it wasn’t. The wood is in great shape. Close examination looks like something is going on under a clear coat that was designed to protect the receiver.

I got it cheap because of the discoloration.

Anybody ever deal with something like this? I’m thinking about peeling off the clearcoat.

[GunnyMack]

Whew, for a second there Scott I thought you failed your New Year's Resolution !
Its probably a lacquer finish. Maybe strip the action and soak it in lacquer thinner.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Lacquer? Hmm? I guess that makes sense. It seems to have separated from the metal for some reason.

The collector features don’t mean a thing to me, but it matches my saddle ring carbine trapper.

[marlinman93]

With the wood removed to protect it, I wouldn't bother tearing the whole action apart. I'd get a can of acetone and a coarse cloth like lightweight canvas and dip it in acetone and rub the metal surfaces. It's going to take some time and have to work fast as the acetone evaporates quickly. Might also need a second soft cloth to wipe down once you've got most of the finish removed.
I bought a Ballard rifle that had been varnished or laquered many decades previously and nothing would cut the finish that had turned a dirty brown. I finally tried the acetone and it immediately softened the finish, and I wiped it off quickly before it could dry and setup again!








This took me almost 8 hrs. because the entire gun's metal surfaces were coated, including all the sights! But the end result was well worth the effort.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Here’s a picture.

[Scott Tschirhart]

But when I run a finger over the portion just over the saddle ring.

[OldWin]

I've seen others do that same thing. Mine hasn't, but I don't use it a whole lot. If it does, I'm not super concerned, but it would be Interesting to know if there are options. I DO like the little carbine, but it's solely for its handling and shooting performance.

[marlinman93]

But when I run a finger over the portion just over the saddle ring.

The pictures tell me a different story. I think the French Gray finish is either in need of polishing, or it's been flaking off. I would try some Flitz Metal Polish before doing anything else. Rub it on with your fingertips, or a rag, then buff with a clean cloth. If that brings it back then you can do the rest of the receiver and other pieces finished the same. If it doesn't then the French Gray has flaked off, and the Flitz wont hurt it, but wont help a lot either. Flitz works great on blued metal also to bring it back.

[Rimfire McNutjob]

Was this perhaps that period of sintered steel receivers that were iron plated to take the finish?

[Pisgah]

Was this perhaps that period of sintered steel receivers that were iron plated to take the finish?

That's what it looks like to me. I don't own one now, but I have had 3 94's of the sintered/plated receiver era that did the same thing.

[Griff]

Scott,

Your post made me go look at mine. I found much the same on the left side of the receiver. A line of very dark discoloration following along the line of engraving at the bottom of the receiver. After about twenty minutes with a clean rag and a product called "Tarn-X" it's mostly clear. Using a flash just washed out a photo, so without it, it's a little blurry, but you can maybe see it's gone. Still a little dark around the saddle ring, but... a little more & it'll probably come off.

DSCN1652[1].JPG

This is a pic of the right side, before any cleaning. It isn't as bad as the left...

DSCN1653[1].JPG

Dang... how did I get Jay's feet in my pic?

[Tycer]

Was this perhaps that period of sintered steel receivers that were iron plated to take the finish?

My guess also.

[Scott Tschirhart]

Thanks Griff! I’ll try that.

[Pat C]

Those sintered steel frames can be black oxide coated Brownells Oxynate 84 was especially for this.

Winchester tried to plate them with iron then blue.

[Tycer]

Those sintered steel frames can be black oxide coated Brownells Oxynate 84 was especially for this.

Winchester tried to plate them with iron then blue.

And boy that plating was thin, thin, thin!
I had one that I just used a little bit of rust remover and it just wiped the plating off. That Brownell’s is exactly what I used to refinish.