Restoration Report

1. Object Identification

2. Photo Documentation – Before & After

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3. Condition Prior to Treatment

The rifle presented as a complete and mechanically functional example, retaining heavy service character and its original finishes. Its condition, while stable, showed the typical signs of age for a long-stored early-20th-century Italian conversion rifle. No modern restoration or refinishing was evident.

• Metal surfaces: Light, active red rust in select areas; general brown patina over exposed steel; grime around receiver, magazine housing, and bands.
• Stock: Dry surface, ground-in dirt from handling and storage; scattered dings and expected field marks; heavy cosmoline grease; old arsenal repair pin in buttstock.
• Markings: Turin arsenal stamps (TORINO), 1883 date, and serial number BI 6460 visible but obscured by grime prior to cleaning.
• Bore: Bright with fair rifling (verified separately); not part of this conservation phase.

4. Conservation Objectives

• Arrest active corrosion while preserving patina and finish.
• Improve legibility of markings and exposed surfaces without altering age character.
• Reduce accumulated dirt, oils, and storage grime from metal and wood.
• Strengthen and condition the dry walnut stock with period-appropriate methods.

5. Treatment Summary

Conservation work consisted of a full disassembly, stabilization of an old receiver-area crack, controlled cleaning of the walnut stock, and metalwork preservation including a period-appropriate cold-blue application. The rifle retains all of its original service wear, patina, and markings; no sanding, refinishing, or cosmetic alteration was performed. All steps were carried out with the goal of respecting the rifle’s 19th-century origins and its WWI conversion history.

6. Detailed Treatment Steps

1. Initial Inspection & Documentation: Rifle examined in as-acquired condition; photos taken of markings, stock wear, conversion magazine, and the small receiver-area crack prior to any intervention.
2. Full Disassembly: The rifle was completely stripped down: barrel, receiver, trigger group, magazine housing, bands, and bolt. All components were cleaned individually to remove accumulated grime and oil.
3. Wood – Degreasing & Structural Stabilization: The walnut stock was gently cleaned with a mild Dawn-and-water solution, working small areas at a time and drying immediately. No sanding was performed. The receiver-area crack was reinforced internally using Titebond III Advanced Polymer glue, providing structural support without altering external appearance. The inletting around the magazine-box modification (from the WWI 6.5 mm conversion) was re-secured with heat-resistant epoxy to prevent future shifting.
4. Wood – Finish Conservation: Stock surfaces were treated with Neutral Restor-A-Finish to even the oxidized linseed-oil reddish tone without removing patina. A very light coat of boiled linseed oil was hand-rubbed to fix the coloration and nourish the wood.
5. Metal – Deep Cleaning & Mechanical Work: All steel components (receiver, barrel, trigger assembly, magazine, bands) were cleaned and lightly re-oiled. The bolt was fully disassembled and cleaned in mineral spirits, then brushed to restore its correct in-the-white service appearance.
6. Barrel & Receiver – Controlled Cold Bluing: After thorough degreasing, the exterior surfaces were treated with Oxpho-Blue cream. The receiver was masked at the barrel shoulder to preserve the historic barrel-receiver joint line; the barrel was intentionally left a shade lighter to respect the surviving original under-wood coloration typical of arsenal conversions. The large rear ring was lightly blued to match period examples seen in surviving rifles.
7. Final Metal Protection: After reassembly, all steel received a thin protective coat of oil, wiped nearly dry. An application of microcrystalline wax (Renaissance Wax) was applied to all metal surfaces, then examined by a gunsmith.

7. Results & Findings

• Active rust eliminated; stable patina preserved.
• Markings (TORINO, 1883, BI 6460) improved in clarity.
• Wood regained a healthier tone and surface protection while retaining all service wear.
• Rifle retains its historical authenticity and untouched appearance, with no polishing, sanding, or refinishing done.