help cleaning old revolvers!

[tattedupcody]

Hey everyone, im new to this forum, and got a question, for some of the gun smiths or know alots in here!

I just got ahold of two pretty old revolvers.
One of which is pat'd 1886 or so the barrel says.
"Hopkins and Allen MFG CO. Norwich Conn.USA PAT 86"
cut it alittle short but thats what it says basicly
It has a spur on the trigger and it says "PAT'D Jan 27 86" on the spur of the hammer. long story short, i wanna clean it up the best i can before taking it to a gun smith or store to look at.
I might fix it up and shoot it..or fix it and sell it..
My question... How can I clean this carbon..or minor rust off the nickle plating of these guns??
Thanks!...heres some pics!

[IMG][/IMG]
thats the hopkins and allen breaktop..with spur hammer.


there is both the guns..from 1886era? can you see the grime..what the best way to get it off? i got a cleaning kit bit it wont come off.
Thanks alot

[knight0334]

Unless you have it done properly, you will run the risk of destroying most of the value of them.

Most guns are worth more with the rust and patina on them than if you remove it.

Your best option is to stabilize their finish from rusting more with oils and rust prevention.

[brian]

do not mess with the finish on old guns.
well, you can, but it kills the value...big time.

[Iron Sights]

Nice find. Listen to Knight & Brian.

[imashooter2]

I'd mix up a gallon of Ed's Red, remove the grips and soak the revolvers in it overnight as a dip tank. After the soak, wipe clean with a cotton rag and patch out the bores and charge holes. ER can't harm the metal and a revolver that old is unlikely to have plastic anywhere except the grips.

My opinion, worth what you paid...

[tattedupcody]

i just gave the two guns a basic run through with oil preventing stuff, and some small wire brushes, so i didnt really take anything apart, just ran the brushes through the barrel and oiled the trigger and what not, and they were handed down to me from family so they are really old.