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Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 11:55 pm
by fantumfan2003
Today I got an old air rifle from a friend. It was used by his grandfather . Edited:Mod

The gun is not working and is rusted. My friend did tell me that it was working some time back and the part that attached the barrel to the cylinder went missing when they moved house.

Cant make out the make and caliber. I need help with removing the rust. brake fluid or electrolysis ? Please tell me which to use looking at the photographs.

Here are the pictures.





Thanks

Manish

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 6:57 am
by Mack The Knife
It's an old Diana. Can't recall the model number but will look it up later.

I would dimantle the gun completely and remove the rust with CRC Rust Remover or similar.

The cocking hinge pin shouldn't be difficult to source or get made.

Re: Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:16 am
by yash3_great
Part of the stock looks chipped off or what? I think it will make for an interesting DIY project.

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:23 pm
by snIPer
Looks good. will be nice to work on and see it completely restored. do take pics as you go along. Sure would like to see the progress and the results.
Best of luck :-)

Please help me restore this old air rifle

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:36 pm
by fantumfan2003
I have been given an old air rifle which is rusted and not in a very good condition.
I think its a Milbro in 4.5mm

I have a couple of pics here.





I want to remove the rust and restore it to working condition.

Whats your rcommendation for removing the rust.

Please help.

Manish

Re: Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:38 pm
by Mark
When you remove the rust, you will have pitting underneath which will require polishing, so I would suggest you are not that much worse off simply starting to polish it now with emery cloth or sandpaper. If you want to try a chemical, go to a store that sells industrial cleaning supplies and get a toilet bowl cleaner that claims to be extra effective in removing rust stains.


I do not know what your grit system is over there, here I would start off with a 100 or 120 grit, and when it was polished go to a 220 grit and leave it at that, then apply whatever finish you desire. When you get to that point we can discuss what your options are.

I suspect you will need to replace the leather cup washer, but Mack The Knife is the expert on that.

It is a very classic air rifle! I am looking forward to your project and remember to post pictures!

Re: Please help me restore this old air rifle

Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 11:44 pm
by Mark
Don't start multiple threads on the same topic.

Your questions will be answered in the other thread.

Regards,

Mark

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:05 am
by mundaire
Both the threads have now been merged...

Re: Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 11:17 am
by Mack The Knife
Manish,

That air-rifle may well be a Milbro (Millard Brothers Ltd.) since Diana machinery was sent to the U.K. after WW2.

Herewith a few pics of a similar air-rifle but one that is branded DIANA. It's a pre-war version.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Re: Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 12:40 pm
by fantumfan2003
Rustom....

Man Thanks you so much for those pics.....

I have just taken pics of mine with my Nikon and posting them to flickr.

I will spray zorrik 88 on the screws leave it for an hour and dismantle it.

Is this one rifled or smooth bore ? .177 isnt it....

Man I si excited to see what she will look like when done

I will need a lot of help from all of you .

A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you.....

Manish

Re: Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:07 pm
by fantumfan2003
Yes you are right...its chipped off a bit.


yash3_great";p="41528 wrote:Part of the stock looks chipped off or what? I think it will make for an interesting DIY project.

Re: Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:19 pm
by fantumfan2003
Hello Friends...

zorik88 at work.

Need help with removing the stock....

Image

CRC Rust Remover is an Indian product ? I have also been told by a neighvbour that Rustolin will work too...

Will go hunting for either after lunch...

Good thing I have the weekend to work...

Manish

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:46 pm
by Mack The Knife
It's rifled and in .177" calibre.

Re: Help required in restoring old air rifle

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:33 pm
by biking3819
the other screw u r referring in the picture seems to me a trigger setting screw,...
sanjiv

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 3:34 pm
by fantumfan2003
Removed the trigger guard. The screw ahead of it is for trigger adjust...
Removing the butt plate screws revealed a nut taht came ourt with a barrel wrench.

The stock is separated out now.

The hard part is the screw on the trigger assembly which is very tight and the main spring in there.

Got to move ahead carefully.

I searched for schematics for the gun on chambers u website. They have a section on Milbros.

Is it worth dunking all the metal part in a kerosene bath all night and using emery paper to scrub away the rust ?

What grade of paper would be appropriate ?

Managed to find Rustolene in a shop...he had another pidilite product which he recommended, I took Rustolene...Its Kerosene based (the odour) ...dunked the smaller parts in it and leave them through the night and will use 120 paper on them tomorow morning....

Manish