Steve499
Member
If you want to store a loaded black powder revolver for a long period of time and have confidence it will fire normally years later, clean the cylinder well with rubbing alcohol or lacquer thinner to completely de-grease the chambers and nipples. Dry it well with a blow dryer if you want to proceed immediately or wait until it's dry before you load with powder and a bare ball, no grease or greased wad. After the nipples are capped,fill the chamber mouths with melted beeswax and fill the cap recesses with it as well. Scrape the beeswax off of the rear of the cap so it doesn't cushion the hammer strike and you are finished. You may lubricate the rest of the pistol normally. I would only lightly lubricate the outside of the cylinder and cylinder pin with a vegetable oil, nothing petroleum based.
I think beeswax is essential to getting a proper adhesion to the metal. Parrafin wax won't last through much temperature change.
I wouldn't worry about corrosion in the chambers. Black powder corrodes by drawing moisture from the air. There should be no moisture in the chambers when the gun is freshly loaded and, properly sealed, none can enter.
I've posted about this several times already but it still may interest some. I loaded an old .44 Italian replica as above in 1992 I believe it was. Two chambers were fired early this year. Both functioned normally, no weakness apparent and no hanging fire. There are still 4 loaded chambers to be tested on down the road some day.
Steve
I think beeswax is essential to getting a proper adhesion to the metal. Parrafin wax won't last through much temperature change.
I wouldn't worry about corrosion in the chambers. Black powder corrodes by drawing moisture from the air. There should be no moisture in the chambers when the gun is freshly loaded and, properly sealed, none can enter.
I've posted about this several times already but it still may interest some. I loaded an old .44 Italian replica as above in 1992 I believe it was. Two chambers were fired early this year. Both functioned normally, no weakness apparent and no hanging fire. There are still 4 loaded chambers to be tested on down the road some day.
Steve