Aging with bleach!?

[pichou]

Back in the day, some Brit makers faked wrapped/Damascus barrels by winding a string soaked in aqua fortis around the barrel.

Sneaky, huh?

 

[fatboy]

Guys I know have done the aging thing used a spry bottel for the blue spritz the metal down then dipped in the bleach /clorox when done rinsed it down with water and baking soda

 

[R.J.]

At the risk of rocking the boat here,I have to ask. If a fella builds a period correct arm,to fit his persona, why would it have to be aged at all? After all,it may only be a couple years old or new for that matter,at the time you wish to portray. Like I said, I'm not trying to cause trouble here, just wondering. I doubt the rifles at the Popo Agie rendezvous in 1829 were well kept, but they weren't 200 years old either.I am more interested in what they looked like brand new. How were they finished,if at all, when the smithy said "ship her she's a good one". Don't get me wrong, I love the looks of these rifles posted here. There is something romantic about a well aged piece. But if I just joined up with Ashley to stake my claim in the beaver streams, I would likely have a relatively new rifle. Does any of this make any sense,or am I off on the wrong track?

 

[Roy]

Some people just like that aged look, some don't. Not everyone that likes to shoot and own ML's are re-enactors.

 

[LaBonte]

I would likely have a relatively new rifle.

But firearms in a 24/7/30/365 usage age much faster than you or I or anyone else today would most likely use them - just one historical point -
by the time Lewis and Clark reached the Mandan villages (just months after starting out) their guns were reportedly in such poor condition if it had not been for the gunsmith who was part of the company the guns would have been unusable. And this is just one such report...

 

[R.J.]

Oh I bet being out in the weather 24/7 was awful hard on shootin' irons. That's a good point historicaly speaking in regard to Lewis & Clark. I hadn't seen that before. It's no wonder orriginal rifles are scarace. The explorers and trappers that had a "pet" rifle any length of time must have taken some sort of care of it.I suppose if it was the only thing standing between you and a scalpin',you would.

 

[Twice boom]

Its only natural to want a gun that looks the age when we strive so hard in manner and dress to emulate those that came before us...
Then on the other hand it is more important to me at least to have something PC and new looking and to have something close and with a faux look on top of it......But that's just me...
Twice.

 

[Deadeye]

This U.S. muslet was made in 1810, 199 yrs old.
This musket has been well taken care of and still functions and shoots, I believe, as good as ever.
This knife I made in 2008, 1 yr. old and aged with cold clorox on cold steel. Clorox does a pretty good job of aging.
Deadeye

 

[widget350]

You do have a good point. Most weapons (especially military) would be extremely well cared for. They'd have the handling marks associated with being used regularly, but would otherwise probably be in excellent condition.

I think reenactors often try to achieve aging that makes their audience (and even themselves) believe that their wardrobe and gear are as old as they pretend them to be, keeping the illusion alive. My experience in reenacting has always been to entertain people, and therefore, I'm focused on maintaining their illusions rather than protraying something completely pc/hc. I try to do what I can for both of these (both because I like accuracy and I try to educate people) but ultimately, I'm a performer.

 

[Twice boom]

I know what you mean. Te shotgun is a 1847 J Manton and son. The Barlow I made in 2007..

As I see it. If I lived in 1847 both Gun And Knife would have been carried new ,like many, many Mountain men,trappers carried new guns in to the Wilderness. But if I am to experience what the original sport sensed when out in the field I too must wear what he wore,carried what he carried. It's my form of reenacting,and its personal as I am sure it is for you as well..

Nice pieces you have...

Twice.

 

[R.J.]

Yipes! That looks like a sledge hammer of a shootin' iron. What's the story behind it? Also, is that a whale tooth on the table just left of the hammers?

 

[Deadeye]

I have a couple of whale teeth around here somewhere but they aren't in the pic. If you look close on the side you can see the 1810 date
made at Canton, Mass. by R&C Leanord, a contract musket. Came to me thru a friend from his Uncle
originally from New Jersey and who knows before that. Has some initials and N J carved in the buttstock. Up until a few yrs. ago his Uncle had killed his Deer with it every yr. or so I was told
and I have no reason to doubt it. I think it's .69 but the bore mikes .70 and is 45" long that should do the job.
Deadeye

 

[Deadeye]

One more time, maybe I'll get a pic this time.

 

[Twice boom]

No story on the shotgun that I am aware of. Other than couple hundred serial numbers prior to mine the Mantons -Son- John died in the mid 1830's -- was made for the brother or a close kin to the King Of England..... I won more than my share at Friendships Skeet range with that old Sledge......

Fossil a Sea shell 55,+ millions of years a go. My daughters when they were kids and I picked them up from a Creek around Harrison Ohio. Had them checked by a Professor at the UOC..We too thought they where Whale teeth. :haha:
Twice.

 

[pichou]

One more time, maybe I'll get a pic this time.

Yes bleach does a nice job of pitting random patches of steel. Don't see how that is comparable to 200 years of patina though. They do not look the same to me.

 

[Deadeye]

NO Pitchou!, they don't look the same nor did I say they looked the same. I don't recall anyone saying they looked the same. In fact I posted to show that put side by side they didn't look the same and to show that what effect cold clorox on cold steel has for anyone interested in that rusted look. :shake: