Quote Originally Posted by chieffool View Post
Can i ask which lubricant do you suggest for the washer?
The very best treatment for the leather washer is Neetsfoot Oil, available from most good horse/ riding supply outlets. But you can get away with modern oils if you have to. The main thing is that the new washer as supplied will be oversize and too tight to enter the cylinder. You will need to CAREFULLY reduce the diameter slightly using a bench grinder or belt sander. A hand file will also work but take longer. Only when you have got the seal ( must be fitted to the piston) to a nice sliding fit ( with some friction) should you then remove the seal and soak it overnight in neetsfoot oil, then re fit.
The problem with leather piston seals is that if the gun lies unused for a long while the leather dries out and the pressure of the mainspring and piston causes it to stick to the cylinder wall. If this happens, the next time the rifle is cocked the outer lips of the seal remain bonded to the cylinder wall. The gun will fire but with insufficent power to propel the pellet.
Pete.