Antiquing percussion revolvers

[Carl.allen934]

Wait 150 years

They almost look like they blue them then slightly sand blast them

 

[Carl.allen934]

Wait 150 years

The blueing they use today is not the same as they did in 1860s. At that time it was a rust blueing they would rust the parts creating rust oxide then it would be boiled in a water bath for about 15 minutes the rust oxide would become black oxide. You could posable remove all of the bluing from the gun parts and rust blue them but instead of letting it dry wipe it down to get a more faint look. Just a thought but what do I know.

 

[Stantheman86]

Whenever you shoot the gun , draw from a holster to fire your 6 rounds. Reload and reholster. Carry the gun to and from the range in the holster on a gun belt. Don't be gentle with it.

You'll end up with a nicely aged gun and broken in leather.

 

[Spartan64]

I have successfully browned several Percussion revolvers as well as several 1873 SAA clones. I don't care if it's "authentic" I just think a plum brown finish looks cool. I will update this post with pics later when I get home.

My process is:

1) Soak all "blued" gun parts in white vinegar. The blue comes right off.
2) File, sand, and polish any scratches, import marks, or anything else I don't want to show in the final finish.
3) Thoroughly scrub parts with hot water and dawn soap
4) Dry and wipe down with alcohol
5) Heat with blowtorch and apply Birchwood Casey Gun Brown
6) Card with Steel Wook
7) Repeat steps 5 & 6 until desired color is reached
8) Wipe down with oil

 

[GYJ]

The blueing they use today is not the same as they did in 1860s. At that time it was a rust blueing they would rust the parts creating rust oxide then it would be boiled in a water bath for about 15 minutes the rust oxide would become black oxide. You could posable remove all of the bluing from the gun parts and rust blue them but instead of letting it dry wipe it down to get a more faint look. Just a thought but what do I know.

Is there documentation that the original guns were rust blued and not charcoal blued?

 

[Carl.allen934]

Is there documentation that the original guns were rust blued and not charcoal blued?

1700s I'm sure they blued by placing the barrel under coles you can see that done by watching on YouTube the documentary gun smith of Colonial williamsburg its Wallace Gusler showing biulding a rifle start to finish. I saw it back in the 70s last day of school. It's what lit my fire for building and shooting BP. But in the 1800s it was rust blued

 

[pacanis]

The gunsmith of Williamsburg.
Excellent video.

 

[Carl.allen934]

The gunsmith of Williamsburg.
Excellent video.

I still watch it.

 

[pacanis]

I still have the horseshoe ring a blacksmith made me when I was a kid and my parents took me there.
Probably wasn't him though...

 

[Carl.allen934]

I still have the horseshoe ring a blacksmith made me when I was a kid and my parents took me there.
Probably wasn't him though...

He was in the gun shop. He is retired but still kicking. I would like to meet him

 

[nick_1]

I got to say that you guys sound like a bunch of teenage gurls buying pants that are already worn out.. just use the darn things heck the 58 Remington in this photo is less than two years old in this photo. look at the wear on the backstrap. heck that brasser is probobly about a month old and its starting to show some use.

 

[Carl.allen934]

I got to say that you guys sound like a bunch of teenage gurls buying pants that are already worn out.. just use the darn things heck the 58 Remington in this photo is less than two years old in this photo. look at the wear on the backstrap. View attachment 195221

Nothing wrong with broken in pair of pants. You could use a real holster maybe a real knife and sheath.

 

[Stantheman86]

I got to say that you guys sound like a bunch of teenage gurls buying pants that are already worn out.. just use the darn things heck the 58 Remington in this photo is less than two years old in this photo. look at the wear on the backstrap. heck that brasser is probobly about a month old and its starting to show some use. View attachment 195221

It was you that got the last Griswold from Midway before I could get one!

You saved it, I'd have vinegar bathed it and deblued it.

 

[dave61965]

When I got this Walker it has fallen into some very acidic mud which had damaged the bluing so I went ahead and tried the antique look, I used navel jelly to strip and slightly etch the surface , then some cold blue rubbed back with some very fine steel wool, I also played with a homemade dye for the grips using a rit dye and alcohol mixture, I think it looks better than the splotchy damaged finish it had.

 

[Carl.allen934]

When I got this Walker it has fallen into some very acidic mud which had damaged the bluing so I went ahead and tried the antique look, I used navel jelly to strip and slightly etch the surface , then some cold blue rubbed back with some very fine steel wool, I also played with a homemade dye for the grips using a rit dye and alcohol mixture, I think it looks better than the splotchy damaged finish it had.


View attachment 195223

Mite get me a uberti walker. Was thinking about the 3rd model dragoon as well. I have the uberti 1860 army and 1851 navy like both guns never have a problem. Don't want to mess with my blueing like the way they look

 

[pacanis]

I got to say that you guys sound like a bunch of teenage gurls buying pants that are already worn out.. just use the darn things heck the 58 Remington in this photo is less than two years old in this photo. look at the wear on the backstrap. heck that brasser is probobly about a month old and its starting to show some use. View attachment 195221

You mean "gurls" buying skinny pants?
Are you playing cowboy or country singer?

Some of us here might not live long enough to get a well worn patina on a gun naturally. Especially if they own a few

 

[Stantheman86]

I got to say that you guys sound like a bunch of teenage gurls buying pants that are already worn out.. just use the darn things heck the 58 Remington in this photo is less than two years old in this photo. look at the wear on the backstrap. heck that brasser is probobly about a month old and its starting to show some use. View attachment 195221

The more I see this pic, the more a pic of two cap and ballers and a close up of a man's junk area in the center of the pic is mildly unsettling

 

[Carl.allen934]

The more I see this pic, the more a pic of two cap and ballers and a close up of a man's junk area in the center of the pic is mildly unsettling

Must be a youngster trying to be a man

 

[Bunk]

I've done a few, they've turned out okay, but I have never been completely satisfied with the results...Are there any good sources of information on different tips & techniques out there anyone here is aware of and willing to share?

shoot it, don't clean it and bury it in the rose bush bed for three to four months.
That will antique the he!! out of it.
Be the "one my great grand pappy carried through the war" for sure.
Bunk

 

[nick_1]

I was about 15 years old in this photo. And possessed all the stupidity that goes with that age but at least I had honest wear on the damn pistol. I made the holster myself and my uncle made the knife while in the Korean war. buying jeans with holes in them is silly and trying to make a gun look used when it ain't is fake.