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Joined: Sep 2013
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Sidelock
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Sidelock

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Hello, I am the proud owner of my first British Double.. a 16 gauge boxlock Lang. I have never owned an oil finish gun before and I was wondering if anyone here has some tips for maintaining/cleaning the wood. I plan to hunt seriously with this gun.

Thanks!

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Sidelock
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If it is just a bit grungy, lemon grass oil works well. I've used it with a tooth brush to clean checkering out, as well.

Best,
Ted

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Let's see some photos and a description of your new Lang. The J Lang guns are pretty darn nice IMHO. What year was it made, barrel length, chokes, etc?


Socialism is almost the worst.
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Sidelock
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An oil finish on a pre-war British boxlock is not responsive to "cleaning" other than a wipe down with a damp cloth to remove blood and mud, and maybe an old toothbrush to clean gunk from the checkering. Anything else will just damage the delicate varnish that remains.

Other than the above suggestions, just use it and wipe it down with Clenzoil after each use until you're ready to have it refinished.
JR


Be strong, be of good courage.
God bless America, long live the Republic.
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Sidelock
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Try Formby's wax remover. Available at any big box hardware store. Very gentle so you won't run a risk of doing something you'll regret.


John McCain is my war hero.
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Sidelock
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On my other guns, a parker, and 2 berettas I usually put a tiny bit of hoppes #9 on a silicone cloth and go over the stock very gently before storing. Is this something I wouldn't want to do to this gun?

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First of all, NEVER let anything with silicone even close to a oil finished stock. Refinishing can be a nightmare if any of that stuff is in the wood. Its darned near impossible to remove. And it seems to me there's no benefit to rubbing it with Hoppes--though I use it for everything else, including curing the common cold.


John McCain is my war hero.
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Sidelock
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The Brit traditional cleaner for oiled gun stocks is 1 part Turpentine 1 part Methylated Spirits (Denatured Alcohol) 1 part Vinegar. It does remove old hard wax and dirt without affecting the finish. Yes it does sound strange but it works well.


The only lessons in my life I truly did learn from where the ones I paid for!
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Turpentine and denatured alcohol are both solvents.Solvents break down and remove old varnish. Remember that.

Never use Hoppe's #9 on an old stock that has a linseed-based varnish, which they all had.It will soften and just further deteriorate it.
JR

Last edited by John Roberts; 10/07/13 10:56 AM.

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God bless America, long live the Republic.
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Be strong, be of good courage.
God bless America, long live the Republic.
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