Let the "rustoration" begin......

[averageplinker]

Several years ago I picked up a real dog of a Lanes Musketeer. There was no bluing left, long since replaced by rust. There is part of the foresight remaining stuck in its grove which looks to be left from a botched attempt at removal. The 2 trigger screws have been b*****ed by the wrong screwdrivers. The trigger guard screw is a brass replacement I am guessing. The stock is riddled with woodworm holes, some leading to areas of surface collapse and there is a chunk out of the heel of the stock. The metal butt plate is really corroded and one of the screws is a modern wood screw. Oh yes and the cocking link is a little curved so it may have had an inappropriate spring at some point.

Sounds really rubbish but all the numbers match and she cocked and fired ok. In my view well worth saving to use. Even though she us rare she will never be the belle of the ball!

So what have I done in the several years she has been in my custody? Not much really. I treated the woodworm and removed the stock revealing that the stock bolts threads had crumbled. Luckily there was enough thread on it to get a modern replacement from a local specialist nuts and bolts supplier.

I have finally built up the courage to go beyond the partial strip down and take her completely apart. Wish me luck and expect many threads with many questions!

Rich

[Josie & John]

You'll have to post some before and after pics. The Musketeer is a firm favourite of mine as it was the first 'proper' British air gun/rifle.

Good luck with the resurrection - sounds like you have your hands full.

John

[averageplinker]

Thanks for the encouragement John. Mine is a smoothbore .177" so cannot strictly be called a rifle but they do have charm by the bucketload!

I have had bursts of enthusiasm before as will be seen on my previous thread on here about the musketeer. I don't know how to post a link using this infernal kindle fire but if you search musketeer on here and look at a thread called....... 100 year old plinker project all will be revealed :-)

Rich

[averageplinker]

Back on a proper computer thingy so here is a link to my original thread..

http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread....ight=musketeer

It has pictures from an old flickr account I had but cannot remember my log in and it is probably linked to defunct email address. Time for a new account me thinks!

Anyway last night the remnants of the foresight was carefully removed and the heating and soaking of the seized trigger screw has begun. The slot is really chomped but I really want to find some way of rescuing it as I suspect it is a odd/old/bizarre thread which will be difficult to replace and I don't really want to re-tap it to another thread.
Cheers all.

[micky2]

Nice to know that another old girl is going to get the beauty treatment.

[averageplinker]

Nice to know that another old girl is going to get the beauty treatment.

She'll never be a beauty but will have character!
Rich