Browning / Blueing times

[riarcher]

Wondering, when (and why) there was the transition made between blueing and browning firearms.
I'm thinking around 1850 but am puzzeled why modern times use the blueing and Camo stocks when Browning seems to be more ,,,, "earth toned"(?).
I'm guessing the blueing process was probably faster/cheaper/easier to achive?
I see lots of muzzel loaders blued that would seem to me to be more appropriately browned (like several "Trade Muskets"). Period correct would be ?

 

[Zonie]

Perhaps someone can shed some light on the dates, but I think your estimate of the 1850s is about right for long guns.
I believe most of the Civil war rifles/muskets were blued because it is a faster process than browning and the soldiers got it in their heads that blue was more "modern" than the old fashioned brown guns.

As for using Browning on the barrels of modern guns, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see some of the big makers start to use it when the novelity of stainless steel wears out.
Can't you see it now:

"Buy the NEW REMINGTON 750 WITH NATURAL BROWN FINISH!!!" "This NEW Process blends in with the background for a perfect Camouflage"

"BUY the RUGER with NEW CAMOBROWN barrel finish"

"WHY WAIT? YOUR NEW WINCHESTER BROWNTONE BARREL FINISH IS NOW AVAILABLE"
"No longer will you have to wait 80 years so your gun looks like the expensive Winchester at the Gun Shows!! BUY NOW"
:: :: ::

 

[blckhrn]

As per a knowledgeable CW reenactor, guns of this period were blued, browned and bright finished. Predominant was probably bright, takes the least time of all.

 

[tg]

In pre rev war times charcoal blueing was common,browning is mentioned by about 1780 and NW trade guns were blued after 1800, the method of the blueing or browning may be a part of the question as much as whether blued or browned if comparing todays replicas with the originals. most blued production level ML's(pre-1840) probably either should be browned or blued by a different method if blueing was correct for that particular gun.

 

[Doc Arroyo]

riarcher-

Fire blueing was a highly developed skill and was used on many parts in Europe and by Colonial gunsmiths, but it takes a skilled gunsmith a number of hours to get a smooth finish with it over a large part like a barrel. So many (possibly a majority) of Colonial era guns left the shop in the white. Most locks did.

Around 1800 some larger factories started chemical blueing on a larger basis. In fact, the trade muskets that you mention were specified by law to have blued barrels!

Also around 1800 a browned finish became a new fad.

You also asked why. It takes a skilled gunsmith a couple of hours to fire blue a barrel, and it has to "rest" for a number of days. But an apprentice could be taught to hot chem blue a barrel in a very short time, but there was a bit of equipment to build. And browning can be done in a very short time with the right acid and a sweat box.

Time, money and style. Some things never change.

 

[riarcher]

Thanks all.
(love this place!)