An old saying in the “white” Question

[rsako]

As suggested from another member on this forum. As a newbie to cap and ball revolvers, i’ll ask it here too:

Hi all! I’m brand new to this forum from up in Canada. Thanks for having me join!

As ol’ fella, i have recently re-kindled my spirit for Cap and Ball revolvers for real enjoyment. I’m hooked to get one soon. So my newby question:

Is there any historical meaning behind having “white grips”? Ivory, bone or what have you. Or having Nickel plated or silver plated revolvers or accessories.
I ask politely because i keep reading finding reference to “All in White”.

Was it something Colonels had or prestigious folks only back in the day? Curious about history..nothing racist in this ol’ fella. So please don’t open a can of worms.
I really like the look of traditional blued/browned with wood, but the look of blued/brown metal with “white” is also appealing to me when holstered.

 

[TFoley]

'In the white' when describing a gun of any kind means that there is no finishing colour to the metal work - barrels, locks, barrel bands and so on. No 'browning' or what over here in UK is called 'blacking', particularly where shotguns are concerned. Often you'll read about a musket being left 'bright' - this means the same thing, relying on scouring and overall oiling to prevent the inevitable rusting. I've never heard of the term 'all in white' that you refer to - perhaps it's a local thing?

 

[hawkeye2]

I've never heard of the term 'all in white' that you refer to - perhaps it's a local thing?

A common term here in the colonies.

 

[TFoley]

A common term here in the colonies.

Like I said, it's a 'local thing' - local to the colonies, that is.

 

[rsako]

Awesome answers folks! Thanks so much for clarifying it all!

 

[Grenadier1758]

For an in-the-white usage here on the forums would mean a gun put together from parts and could be fired. but not finished. In other words, the iron and steel parts are unfinished (white) and the wood needs final shaping, surface smoothing, staining and finishing

 

[Zonie]

For an in-the-white usage here on the forums would mean a gun put together from parts and could be fired. but not finished. In other words, the iron and steel parts are unfinished (white) and the wood needs final shaping, surface smoothing, staining and finishing

What your saying is right if we are talking about some of the gun "kits" sold by the smaller U.S. muzzleloading manufacturers like TVM.

Then, there are those guns that are left "in the white" that are totally finished like the Pedersoli Queen Anne flintlock kit I built.
It's lock and barrel are both bare, polished steel and that's the way I wanted it to be.

 

[rsako]

What a Beautiful piece of wood on that specimen. Very nice work indeed!

 

[ppg1949]

Absolutely gorgeous!

 

[Feltwad]

The term {In the White] here in the UK has been revered to unfinished guns since the day of the breech loader. If you take a hand made top London or Birmingham gun most of which take three years to build I have seen guns in the field that are still in the white taking out to try by the buyer and returned at the end of the season to be finished which is mainly cosmetic such has engraving and blueing or blacking.
Feltwad

 

[rsako]

In White or All in White: i somehow figured there was a historical explanation that came from across the pond. Makes total sense. Now we know