1792 contract rifle browned or bright

[oldarmy]

I am building a 1792 contract rifle and I was wondering if I should brown it or leave it bright.
I have the lock all in pieces, after finishing inletting into to the stock,
If it should be browned then I will just clean it up a little and then brown with LMF
If it should be bright then I will polish it up.
Mr Brooks any advise would be greatly appricated

 

[Mike Brooks]

Don Stith is the real expert on these.
I'm finishing up one of those today as a matter of fact. Of course I'm antiqueing mine so that's no real help.
I've built a few of these for Mr. Stith and he had me draw file the barrel in the white. I don't recall how the lock was, but I suspect it was case colored originally.
You better drop Don a line.

 

[oldarmy]

Thanks very much