For rusting iron, on old gunsmith convinced me to use common household bleach. Much easier to obtain than nitric and other chemicals.
Remove the frizzen and dab it on once a day or so and leave it in a damp area if possible. Don't be in a hurry! In a few days you will see results. But, don't stop now, continue dabbing bleach on. Try to get it in an irregular pattern, as if the rust is too even it will look unnatural.
If you stop treatment too soon the nascent rust will slough off, leaving clean metal. It has to stick!
Once you are convinced it is holding well, put the part in baking soda for a few days to begin neutralizing the rust.
Next, boil some water and drop the part in for fifteen or twenty minutes. This won't hurt any temper or other heat treating.
Remove it and dry it well, oil it, and remount. The active red rust will be converted to black iron oxide. And, any old patina will not be harmed by this.
I've done this and the results are foolproof, if you follow these directions closely.
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