Flintlock Pistols With Rare Safety Frizzens, c1740

[dana_w]

This pair of silver mounted flintlock pistols have a very unusual safety mechanism. The Frizzens can be swiveled out of the path of the hammer. Along with British view and proof marks, the barrels are marked with a star over "IB". This is the maker's mark of the highly regarded James Barbar.

http://weaponscollector.com/j_barbar_c1740.php

Unfortunately these pistols are covered with a dark brown substance which is believed to be dried linseed oil. A few years ago Cheaper Than Dirt republished an article on firearm preservation by Springfield National Historic Site and National Park Service. To quote that article “When linseed oil oxidizes, its molecules cross-link with one another, making it increasingly more difficult to remove as time passes.”

http://blog.cheaperthandirt.com/cari...toric-firearm/

I would like to clean these pistols. So far I have tried using fresh boiled linseed oil, WD-40, turpentine, and (God forbid) lighter fluid, all without any notable success.

Has anyone seen an antique weapon preserved in this way? Does anyone have an informed suggestion on how to safely remove the ancient dried linseed oil?

All photos are copyright (c) 2016 Dana K. Williams. All rights are reserved.