What's the consensus on Kibler rifles Steel finish?

Frontstuffer070 · Mar 13, 2024

I'm getting ready to start on my woodsrunner kit. I was planning to brown the barrel and lock, but. I was watching a build video on YouTube and the fella mentioned that browning the steel wasn't really a period correct finish for the time period that these rifles are based on. So what is the consensus on the steel parts finish? Is it the patina look done with brass black, etc? Or is it leaving it bare and letting it patina itself? I mean I know its the choice of the beholder but I would still like to know. Thanks in advance.

Johnny Too-Tall · Mar 13, 2024

I always build whatever I want to build. If you want the browned look do it.

Ballshooter · Mar 13, 2024

I browned my colonial.

Dave Marsh · Mar 13, 2024

Jax black rubbed back to just get the light gray finish and take off the shine.

Frontstuffer070 · Mar 13, 2024

Ballshooter said:
I browned my colonial.

And it looks AWESOME!! Beautiful Rifle Sir! Nice work!

Dave Marsh said:
Jax black rubbed back to just get the light gray finish and take off the shine.

I don't really know what that is, but I'll research it. Thanks for the reply.

Dave Marsh · Mar 13, 2024

Kibler's sells it. Black for the steel and brown for the brass.

TDM · Mar 13, 2024

I don’t believe anyone can pin down for certain when browning became prevalent. But it’s been used for a long time, along with chemical and fire blueing, and just leaving the metal in the white. So as said, it’s really up to your personal taste. Personally, I prefer a light grey finish and do the same as @Dave Marsh on 18th century guns, but that’s just me. I do have an unfinished .36 SMR gathering dust that I plan to brown.

Flint62Smoothie · Mar 13, 2024

Frontstuffer070 said:
... the fella mentioned that browning the steel wasn't really a period correct finish for the time period that these rifles are based on ...

And they would be correct. Sure, you can do whatever you want to, but I wouldn't ... heck, go parkerize it, that would be one of a kind, LOL!

RobertIN · Mar 13, 2024

Let it patina on its own is probably the most HC finish in my barely educated opinion. Grey and brown look good too, but Im not into making a brand new rifle look like something it's not (old). It's like putting ZL1 or GT500 decals on a V6 Camaro/Mustang.

To each their own though.

Grenadier1758 · Mar 13, 2024

I have read that the 1803 Harper's Ferry rifle was required to have a browned barrel and all the other steel parts were to be blued.

Most new rifles would have been blued or left in the white to develop the gray patina and eventually a brown finish.

lexington1 · Mar 13, 2024

I have seen many 18th century German guns that were blued.

painter · Mar 13, 2024

Here's a short video of Jim finishing and aging parts. He's using a different brand product, but the Jax Black works the same.

Freedom · Mar 13, 2024

I like a deep brown Kibler...polished fire bluing optional.

Zutt-man · Mar 13, 2024

I browned my Kibler rifle and used Jax black on my smoothie for a more worn patina. I appreciate both

Uncle Miltie · Mar 13, 2024

Locks were case hardened and the colors carded away to leave a gray finish. Barrels were also left gray.

tenngun · Mar 13, 2024

Uncle Miltie said:
Locks were case hardened and the colors carded away to leave a gray finish. Barrels were also left gray.

I think brown is the most beautiful steel finish there is. And most old guns are brown. But that an artifact of their age.
Guns were both chemically and fire blued, but most guns were gray to shinny metal
The idea of camouflage or being afraid of sun glinting off a finish and alerting game or enemies seems to be a modern idea. We know Indians often wore bright colors and bright colors was seen on frontiersman. And in care one finds a bright barrel is pretty easy to keep rust free
A little patina grey is a good look

Art Caputo · Mar 13, 2024

As it comes from Kibler the barrel has machine marks that require filing of the flats to eliminate them. Same with the lock. After smoothing with a file I applied a solution that created a light grey appearance. Now, a few years later, the barrel has the appearance of aged, unfinished steel. I used a solution that I ordered from Kiber to age both the steel and brass parts of my Colonial rifle

wiscoaster · Mar 13, 2024

Dave Marsh said:
Kibler's sells it. Black for the steel and brown for the brass.

Both can be carded back to an aged patina finish to whatever degree you find pleasing in your eyes.

longcruise · Mar 13, 2024

I see where I'm going wrong! I'm not holding my mouth right.

My next build is going to be all steel polished bright and left that way. Thinking about taking the blue off my TC locks and barrels and polishing bright

wiscoaster · Mar 13, 2024

longcruise said:
My next build is going to be all steel polished bright and left that way. ....

That's exactly what I'm thinking of doing to a Colonial. Be sure to post pics!!

What's the consensus on Kibler rifles Steel finish?

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