I'm having a great time with this thread. I've discovered that cleaning older Parkers—or any American hammergun from the 19th century—often requires striking a compromise between conserving the remaining original polish and patina and eliminating surface dirt. Brake cleaner may be overly harsh since it might remove oils and cause the wood's grain to rise. I've found that applying mineral spirits to the metal with a toothbrush and then lightly oiling it preserves the "character" while also removing the brown accumulation.
What do other people think: do you go further and restore the metal to a brighter state, or do you want to leave the patina as is to indicate its age? Depending on whether a gun is used for shooting, collecting, or something else entirely, opinions seem to vary.
