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Browning a Gun
- Thread starter scott k
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Bear in mind I'm no expert by any stretch, but I've read some of the reports concerning browning, and have made my ownpersonal conclusions: browning was an option available during that period. It was not official military policy, and if individual units did it, they probably also "undid it" when they were back in garrison duty. I believe that individual gun makers probably made some with and some without browning, it's just an area that allows some leeway for individuals (but not line units). :imo:
I broke down this time and had my Bess browned. I justify it by the reports that some of the ranging units performed this modification. but basically, I'm not in a line unit, I'm a vet, and have made modifications to my firelock to satisfy certain needs. I've put on a front sight, and have shortened the barrel. I don't recommend these changes though for new Besses, or if you're in still trooping around.
I broke down this time and had my Bess browned. I justify it by the reports that some of the ranging units performed this modification. but basically, I'm not in a line unit, I'm a vet, and have made modifications to my firelock to satisfy certain needs. I've put on a front sight, and have shortened the barrel. I don't recommend these changes though for new Besses, or if you're in still trooping around.
R.H.Angier in his book FIREARM BLUEING and BROWING , Copyright Thomas G. Samworth, 1936, The Telegraph Press.Pa
says in the introduction (pp 1,2)
"The production of a dark colour on iron and steel objects, whether for ornamentation or other purposes, reaches far back in the history of metal working...
Improved methods followed the development of chemistry, and the oldest browning process for military arms, by means of "butter of antimony" (according to G. Buchner) is described in the Hanover Magazine in 1781.
In the literature on the browning of gun barrels with this substance, originated in England towards the end of the 18th century, which may be quite correct as regards military arms. The browning of barrels is in itself however much older, even in England, and according to information kindly given the author by Mr. C. E. Greener (the well-known Birmingham gunmaker), was in common use for sporting arms about 1720. A report of 1637 in the London Record Office explicitly mentions the "russetting" of barrels under the heading of "Repairs to the Arms of the Trained Bands" (London Militia).
A similar development took place at the same time on the European Continent: guns of the 18th century with blued (temper blued) and browned barrels are numerous, and of the 17th century occasionally met with, in every larger public or private collection of firearms.
Exactly the same advance took place on the American Continent, and the American backwoodsmen, using the simplest possible means, browned the barrels of their historically famous, home-made rifles, from about the middle of the 18th century onwards..."
says in the introduction (pp 1,2)
"The production of a dark colour on iron and steel objects, whether for ornamentation or other purposes, reaches far back in the history of metal working...
Improved methods followed the development of chemistry, and the oldest browning process for military arms, by means of "butter of antimony" (according to G. Buchner) is described in the Hanover Magazine in 1781.
In the literature on the browning of gun barrels with this substance, originated in England towards the end of the 18th century, which may be quite correct as regards military arms. The browning of barrels is in itself however much older, even in England, and according to information kindly given the author by Mr. C. E. Greener (the well-known Birmingham gunmaker), was in common use for sporting arms about 1720. A report of 1637 in the London Record Office explicitly mentions the "russetting" of barrels under the heading of "Repairs to the Arms of the Trained Bands" (London Militia).
A similar development took place at the same time on the European Continent: guns of the 18th century with blued (temper blued) and browned barrels are numerous, and of the 17th century occasionally met with, in every larger public or private collection of firearms.
Exactly the same advance took place on the American Continent, and the American backwoodsmen, using the simplest possible means, browned the barrels of their historically famous, home-made rifles, from about the middle of the 18th century onwards..."
I've recently come across a reference to firearms being "sanguined" from the reign of James II. Could this possibly be browning? Of course you get reddish colours from careful heat treatment as well...
i should point out for this one reference of a coloured metal finish, there are 5 for weapons being finished "bright"
i should point out for this one reference of a coloured metal finish, there are 5 for weapons being finished "bright"
"Exactly the same advance took place on the American Continent, and the American backwoodsmen, using the simplest possible means, browned the barrels of their historically famous, home-made rifles, from about the middle of the 18th century onwards..." '
Is there any reference sources in this book to support this statement or is it the authors personal opinion? this is the kind of quote that can make dating things questionable.
Backwoodsmen with homemade rifles?... no flame intended but I seriously question it as a valid souces for browning guns in colonial America, I suspect a great deal of poetic liscence is reflected in this particular paragraph.
Is there any reference sources in this book to support this statement or is it the authors personal opinion? this is the kind of quote that can make dating things questionable.
Backwoodsmen with homemade rifles?... no flame intended but I seriously question it as a valid souces for browning guns in colonial America, I suspect a great deal of poetic liscence is reflected in this particular paragraph.
"
Backwoodsmen with homemade rifles?... no flame intended but I seriously question it as a valid souces for browning guns in colonial America, I suspect a great deal of poetic liscence is reflected in this particular paragraph."
tg: I have no arguement with you on this score however when comparing the American builders of rifles during that era with the Professional Gun Building Guilds of England and Europe you must admit we were a little "Backwoodsie".
While we were beating white hot iron around mandrals they were deciding how large the gold and platinum decorations should be and whether it should be a Rampaging Lion or a Crown and Scepter.
No, tg, there are no references in the book.
The book, by the way is an excellent resource listing the chemicals needed to color metal brown, blue, green, red, color case...
It has hundreds of different formulas but it is not a Historical thesis about the True Historical Beginning of Metal Coloring, nor does it pretend to be.
Because of this, the author also doesn't go into the exact words used or the information which C.E.Greener gave/told him.
I'm sorry to say that as usual with these things, it's lost to history.
My reason for posting the information is I felt it interesting that reference was made to browning of sporting guns in the 1720s (and before if you give the term 'russetting' a fair chanch).
Backwoodsmen with homemade rifles?... no flame intended but I seriously question it as a valid souces for browning guns in colonial America, I suspect a great deal of poetic liscence is reflected in this particular paragraph."
tg: I have no arguement with you on this score however when comparing the American builders of rifles during that era with the Professional Gun Building Guilds of England and Europe you must admit we were a little "Backwoodsie".
While we were beating white hot iron around mandrals they were deciding how large the gold and platinum decorations should be and whether it should be a Rampaging Lion or a Crown and Scepter.
No, tg, there are no references in the book.
The book, by the way is an excellent resource listing the chemicals needed to color metal brown, blue, green, red, color case...
It has hundreds of different formulas but it is not a Historical thesis about the True Historical Beginning of Metal Coloring, nor does it pretend to be.
Because of this, the author also doesn't go into the exact words used or the information which C.E.Greener gave/told him.
I'm sorry to say that as usual with these things, it's lost to history.
My reason for posting the information is I felt it interesting that reference was made to browning of sporting guns in the 1720s (and before if you give the term 'russetting' a fair chanch).
Well now, good question!
The Tryon Rifle catalog of 1875 lists two rifles that come with brown barrels. Many more options were available.
Mule
The Tryon Rifle catalog of 1875 lists two rifles that come with brown barrels. Many more options were available.
Mule
