Need help with 1897 vintage Marlin '94 32-20.

[bosterr]

I really don't know where to begin, but here goes. One of the family hand-me-down guns I have is a 94 Marlin in 32-20, 24 inch octagon barrel, serial #159XXX. It was acquired by my Great, Great Uncle Clem, I would say probably new. After researching, I found it "left the warehouse" in 1897. It had been in a gun cabinet for more years than I could guess. Back in the early 60's, my brother took it deer hunting, having fired it only a few times with jacketed soft points. The color case hardening on the receiver is almost all gone, but all the bluing looks about 90%. In the late 60's, the stock was refinished. So no collector value, I would think. I've always known how rough the bore is, and being me, I just can't stand to have something that dosen't work! Just this past Sunday, I was talking to my 93 year old Father about it, and out of the blue, he said the roughness is lead and it's probably lead from one end to the other! The light bulb went on!!! Lead can be removed! At first I thought I have nothing to lose, try a stainless brush and go at it. Then I remembered a friend of mine has one of those electric Outers Lead Out and he swears by it. If that works, who knows what lay underneath. I ran a worn out 357 brush down the bore to get the dust out, and by golly it has rifling! Pulling the brush out towards the muzzle, it feels rough for the first 8 inches, then gets pretty smooth. I put a piece of white paper in the ejection port, then shined a real bright LED lite in on the paper. It looks like there's some reasonably sharp rifling about 4 inches from the chamber on one side, like it really could be only partially leaded up. The grooves look fairly good, but the lands have a bit of a "rounded" appearance. Now I'm having visions of shooting the old girl, with gas checked boolits! I'm not quite ready to try slugging the bore, might never get it out! Any and all suggestions, comments and your experiences would be GREATLY appreciated!

Bob

[Denver]

First, throw that stainless brush in the trash. They will not only remove the fouling, but will remove barrel steel as well. I would get some good bore solvent and a bore mop and give it a good soaking for a day or so. After that use a bronze brush to go after the remaining fouling.

[Cactus Farmer]

Make or buy some "Ed's red" or Kroil. Soak the bore and use a bronze brush. Repeat.........use new brush when the old ones go thru too easyly. Worn out won't clean.........Use a jag of the right size to wipe with well fitting patch. After soaking I have had strings of lead come out with a good patch wiping. Good luck.

[RickinTN]

Remove the bolt and clean from the breech end. This is one advantage to the Marlin over the Winchesters.