My grandfather marched with the Elks 99 drill team and carried, depending on the era, either a 1884 trapdoor Springfield or a '98 Krag Jorgensen.   Both were nickel plated and used to fire BP salutes . . . without cleaning.  Needless to say the bores are shot.  They've been sitting in my safe for years and years and have, I'm ashamed to admit, developed surface rust.  No pitting but it looks bad.  My original thought was to deplate them, pull and replace the barrels and turn them into classy sporters.  But I'm beginning to wonder if this is such a good idea?  How do I clean up nickel plated guns?  What should I do?  Am I about to pull a serious 'kick myself forever'?

Flitz, huh?  I'll look it up.

Really!  That's encouraging.  I've been looking around for either new Pedersoli or parts gun trapdoors and the prices are hysterical.  And I do really want a trapdoor sporter stocked like the Sharps sporting rifle on page 5 of Single Shot Rifles and Actions with the tapered octagonal barrel, etc.  I was even thinking of disassembling them and deplating them myself in a tub of vinegar.  I understand its possible.  I'll probably think about this some more.  Maybe talk to the kids about what would be the preferred heirloom.  I mean, if none of them care, off I go!

When you are ready to purchase parts there are cheape places than gunbroker or fleabay.

Put 'em back into shooting condition and shoot 'em. I think Gramps would have no problem at all with such an approach.