The restoration of a slightly rusty 84/98 bayonet
In this example we are going to see how to clean slightly a bayonet just a little bit rusty.
As often, bayonets that you buy in flea markets, gun shows, internet and others are in an advanced rusty condition that only electrolysis can treat, or they just show a slightly rusty area that we have to neutralize quickly.
I'm going to present this technic.
To do this, I use a machine that I can easily make with ordinary materials.
We need specification that takes into account high power and high speed.
I use an one horse power engine and a tree bearing where a chuck is bolted on.
I can change the cleaning tools .
With different sizes of pulleys, I get a speed of about 2800 RPM.
To clean this surface rusted 84/98, I use a medium diameter steel brush which has very flexible threads so as not to scratch the metal surface.
You can see on these 2 pictures (left and right) that the rust is very superficial : (click on the photos for details) ; the scabbard seems to be well blued with just superficial rust.
I am not going to focus
on the bayonet which is easier to work. It is easier to damage
the blue scabbard than the bayonet steel. I only use oil and
000 steel wool to clean it.
Some examples of photos showing the superficial rust.
First at all, I soak the surface with gun oil which degrades easily and quickly the rust.
I spread the oil and I
expect the rust to be
penetrated.
After that, I use the brush. The contact with oil degrades the rust and reveals the bright steel.
I am very careful not to touch wooden grips for not to soak
and blacken it. You can remove the grips at this step.
It is not necessary to apply strong force.
The speed brush combined with the effectiveness of the oil allows to get the desired result in a small time.
This is possible because I work on a lightly rusty surface but if the rust is thick, I use a small file.
After cleaning, all the rust is gone, only patches of thick rust still have to be removed with a thin file.
For the scabbard, I just use 000 steel wool oil soaked and I rub lightly to neutralize the rust without altering the blue.
Then I remove the grips and I use a drum with a special brush. I clean the tang that may holds easily the rust.
It is important to clean carefully along the crossguard and the tang.
I use a small cylindric brush to clean the inside of the tang. I remove thick rust patches with a thin file and oil.
At the end, I use the 000 steel wool soaked with a special steel polish product. The steel doesn't shine and it has the advantage of preserving the patina of the bayonet.
Now it is cleaned it has still kept its patina. It is not too cleaned and too bright.
The last photo shows the frog and the specific knot issued to the machine gunners.
To find easily this bayonet in the 84/98 part, you have to click here.
