Old scope restoration help

[malco]

Hi all, my first post , and it is to ask for information.

I have an old brass scope, and am wanting to clean it up. As normal for me I started without knowing what I was doing . So now before I stuff it up any more , what should I be doing?

Obviously it wouldn't have been shiny when issued, so would it be treated with something after?

Malco.

2015-02-15 11.58.26.jpg (1.27 MiB) Viewed 2999 times

2015-02-15 11.57.48.jpg (1.02 MiB) Viewed 2999 times

[Jack V]

Advising on a project like that is risky . If you could pull it all apart and separate the metal tube from the rest it might be safer to do. All I can think of is try rubbing it with very fine steel wool soaked in CLR . Work on small patches at a time and flushing off with targeted hot water in a big syringe . Tape up over and around the lenses and do that bit last . I doubt that the scope is very water proof now so it's a risk. With pitted sections let some CLR just sit there in the pits for some time to try and eat the patina corrosion out . If fine steel wool is too aggressive try a hard tooth brush .

[malco]

Thanks for the reply Jack v, CLR might be the go. When I get it cleaned up , and it's all shiny, would it have been coated in something? Being a 1943 Aus Army issue I doubt it would have been left bright and shiny. Regards malco.

[Jack V]

It most likely would have been blued or painted like this one http://www.germanmilitaria.com/OtherNat ... 91762.html
I suspect from that photo it's some kind of coating as it appears to be flaking . You can see the brass colour where it's come off .
The Article says "original Green paint " It don't look green to me but it could be .
On the other hand your scope does look like it was a drab Olive Green colour or that green comes from brass corrosion I'm not sure .

[malco]

Jacky v, Well done mate , that is exactly the same as mine . Now I know the direction to go. Thanks for your help mate. Regards malco.

[Jack V]

No worries mate glad I could help save some history .

[jordy]

What's the outside? Copper?

[Oldbloke]

Looks like brass with some typial green coloured corrosion to me. Must have been painted originally

[samoohrye]

The Article says "original Green paint " It don't look green to me but it could be .

Green paint + 70 years?

[Yelp]

That'll be a great little collectable once it's cleaned up

[meek]

Post a few photos once you've shined her up malco