Appeal for help - raising a springer from the dead.

[Phil Russell]

it's a springer. I'd literally hose it down, strip it, hose it down some some, let it dry in the sun (they have that in spain), flood it with WD40, and from there you are on a basic starting point as for lubing any springer.

As above.
Many years ago (OK, maybe 7) I was given a Meteor Mk1 that had been under flood water for maybe a week then just left with no attention for maybe 2 or 3 weeks. It was in quite a state. It was clear the stock needed refinishing due to water damage but after drying it out and some tlc including refinishing to original colour it was OK.
The action was far better than I expected, mainly due to the fact that it was quite well lubricated before its unwelcome swim. So, all stripped down, cleaned, polished where needed, relubed and put back together. My notes tell me that the trigger was gunged up with mud. The action had been 'painted' (normal for this model I believe) and was a little the worse for its swim so I stripped it back and resprayed it. Superb. I may well have replaced piston and breech seals as well but that was all. So take heart: rifles are stronger than they look.
Cheers, Phil

[Gary C]

Thanks for your kind words and offers of support