Darkening brass

[ebsails]

I'm building a traditions flintlock. My first flintlock. And I was thinking of darkening the brass, somehow?

Was wondering if someone might have some advice on this. I will be browning the barrel with Plum Brown, and was thinking about trying that on the brass parts.

Suggestions, and opinions, greatly appreciated, thanks, Eric

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Birchwood Casey Brass Black or liver of Sulphur.

 

[ord sgt]

Let the brass age naturally through use. Or, if you want to speed up the process, wipe the brass with dirty cleaning patches after a day of shooting. I have used both methods, but I prefer the aging through use. It's an honest patina.

 

[ebsails]

Thanks guys. I'm going to hit the thrift stores and pick up a few pieces, and try a few methods.

 

[Hawk54]

There are some really good brass aging videos on you tube.

 

[morehops52]

When I got my Hawken in the 70's I always polished the brass every so often. Eventually I wised up and just left the aging patina. I like the natural look.

 

[Scota@4570]

Cold blue will make it a dark color. IF you can wait, wipe it down a dirty BP cleaning patch.

 

[Vaino]

Cold blue is applied over the entire item , let dry and then selectively rub back w/ 0000 steel wool. The inside corners should be a lot darker simulating gunk accumulation. I don't over do the "aging"....it then looks "phony".....Fred

 

[andy52]

White vinegar works well, you'll need a container large enough to hang the brass in. Wet a piece of cloth with the vinegar and place it in the bottom and hang the pieces seal the top and let be for about 24 hours.
The vapor is what does the aging not the liquid.

 

[Rifleman1776]

wipe the brass with dirty cleaning patches after a day of shooting.

I did similar but wiped my brass after every swab, meaning every shot.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I bought a TC stock with all the hardware to rework for a new GM drop-in barrel. The previous owner had blackened the brass trigger guard, I don't know what they used but it was BLACK, not aged looking. During the rework I intended to polish the brass back to original and found this blackening agent just about had to be sanded back to get rid of the black, I don't know what it was but it was jet black and looked phony, not aged.

Done

 

[Hawk54]

I bought a TC stock with all the hardware to rework for a new GM drop-in barrel. The previous owner had blackened the brass trigger guard, I don't know what they used but it was BLACK, not aged looking. During the rework I intended to polish the brass back to original and found this blackening agent just about had to be sanded back to get rid of the black, I don't know what it was but it jet black and looked phony, not aged.

View attachment 138157

Done

View attachment 138158

Probably used brass black. It makes the brass turn real dark.

 

[TarponStalker]

You need nothing more than your dirty cleaning patches. Moist BP residue will darken it brass easily.

 

[rafterob]

Just let it age naturally. It does not take long from use to gain a nice patina.

 

[GREENSWLDE]

I'm building a traditions flintlock. My first flintlock. And I was thinking of darkening the brass, somehow?

Was wondering if someone might have some advice on this. I will be browning the barrel with Plum Brown, and was thinking about trying that on the brass parts.

Suggestions, and opinions, greatly appreciated, thanks, Eric

Start with 10% Hydrochloride of Ammonia in a Crock or Earthan vessel. In anothr pot a mix of 10% Hydrochloric acid (Sharp Water). Degease your brass. Dip first into Hydro Then into Sharp water. Repeat until you have the colour you want.Wash several times in fresh water. Laqueur.. Job Done and Very hard wearing as it's an oxidized finish.. Very good for colouring Copper powder flasks.It's the way they were done in 18th & 19th century. Very P.C.. Works on any Brass Or Copper if properly cleaned. Can even be Brushed on but use Two Different brushes .Plastic ones are best..Not P.C.. OLD DOG.. Brown your barrel in a steam chest with Greeners solution. See "Stell & Harrison's Gunsmith's Manual" Republished in1945 by Samworth ..Once again an Oxidized finish. It's why 1850's barrels can still be found showings Brown..O.D.

 

[ebsails]

Start with 10% Hydrochloride of Ammonia in a Crock or Earthan vessel. In anothr pot a mix of 10% Hydrochloric acid (Sharp Water). Degease your brass. Dip first into Hydro Then into Sharp water. Repeat until you have the colour you want.Wash several times in fresh water. Laqueur.. Job Done and Very hard wearing as it's an oxidized finish.. Very good for colouring Copper powder flasks.It's the way they were done in 18th & 19th century. Very P.C.. Works on any Brass Or Copper if properly cleaned. Can even be Brushed on but use Two Different brushes .Plastic ones are best..Not P.C.. OLD DOG.. Brown your barrel in a steam chest with Greeners solution. See "Stell & Harrison's Gunsmith's Manual" Republished in1945 by Samworth ..Once again an Oxidized finish. It's why 1850's barrels can still be found showings Brown..O.D.

Thanks for the info. Eric

 

[ebsails]

I bought a TC stock with all the hardware to rework for a new GM drop-in barrel. The previous owner had blackened the brass trigger guard, I don't know what they used but it was BLACK, not aged looking. During the rework I intended to polish the brass back to original and found this blackening agent just about had to be sanded back to get rid of the black, I don't know what it was but it was jet black and looked phony, not aged.

View attachment 138157

Done

View attachment 138158

Now you have me double thinking this.

I think maybe I'll complete the gun, and decide later.
Kind of like the idea of aging it with dirty patches. I don't want a fake look.

Thanks, Eric

 

[Freedom]

JAX brown, is the product that Kibler sells. It works very well. At first it seemed to give the look of a cheap Delta faucet, but after a few days a mellow mustard color returned to the aged brass and it looks great.

https://kiblerslongrifles.com/colle...mended-for-brass-parts?variant=39355446263926

 

[ebsails]

White vinegar works well, you'll need a container large enough to hang the brass in. Wet a piece of cloth with the vinegar and place it in the bottom and hang the pieces seal the top and let be for about 24 hours.
The vapor is what does the aging not the liquid.

Interesting, thanks. I'll try it with a spare piece of brass.

 

[andy52]

Interesting, thanks. I'll try it with a spare piece of brass.

This method doesn't darken the brass like some others it gives it a nice aged look.