A handbook for riflemen; containing the first principles of military discipline, founded on rational method, intended to explain in a familiar and practical manner, the discipline and duties of rifle corps: conformable to the system established for the United States military force, and the latest improvements in the modern art of war, by William Duane, 1812
It must be obvious that the rifle barrel should not be bright; that the equipments of riflemen should be free from everything that is glittering or of a striking color, must be perceived upon every consideration of their duties. Great care, however, must be taken, in the frequent inspection of the rifle, to guard against any neglect of keeping it in order, when it has been browned, greened or blacked.
The barrel may be secured against external rust, by the following means”¦ If it be intended to give the barrel a clean black color, take half an ounce of camphor, a gill of oil of turpentine, a gill of Florence oil, and a clean earthen cup, simmer them over a fire without flame, until the whole shall be incorporated, and in an uniform liquid state, putting the camphor in last; add to this liquid an ounce of clean white bees wax, and melt the whole, adding a little sweet oil or turpentine to preserve its consistency to the state of honey, add an ounce of powdered black lead to this composition, and the barrel of the rifle being perfectly clean, the composition may be put on like paint, very thin, laid by to dry, and polished to a smooth surface.
To give the barrel a red or brown color, add red lead or ochre, instead of black lead.
To make the barrel green, add verdigrease, which must be first ground in oil; to make the barrel blue, pulverised Prussian blue.
The barrel may be preserved bright and safe from rust by this varnish, without adding any color to it; but it must be laid on very thin, and with great care; and the lock plate and parts open to the air, may be protected from rust by this camphor varnish.
They have colors that might be close to historically correct and the product would stop a continuing problem with old style guns, mainly rust on the barrel. I say this only because I respect this group :bow: and want honest and hopefully non-hostile answers :surrender: . Please forgive my newby-ness and I will await your replies (in my bombproof bunker) :surrender: :surrender:
