Polished brass?

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Should you spray (protect) it?? Poly or whatever?? Maybe just a good coat of wax??

 

[64Springer]

I use MINWAX furniture wax.

If the poly gets a scratch, it's hard to repair.

 

[necchi]

Just wax, it's too easy to get shiny again, a dab of Brasso on a soft cloth, rub and buff

 

[Col. Batguano]

The shinier it is, the less prone it is to tarnish. If you prepare it with VERY fine sandpaper, like up to 5000 grit it will take a very long time to lose its' shine. If it's possible to remove it from the gun, go that route instead. Start with a relatively coarse grit, like 400 or 600 and work your way up. Do it wet. Polishing compound (such as is commonly done with a wheel) deposits waxes and the like in the teeny scratches and won't get you as shiny of a finish.

I personally don't care for the look of super shiny brass so I usually stop at around 800 or 1200 grit myself. That gives me more of a satin or dull-shiny look, which gains the mustard look I like the best after just 3-4 years of sitting in the rack.

 

[Pete G]

Don’t worry about it. Brass was used because it was cheap and easy to fabricate. The only reason to polish is if you are playing the part of the greenhorn.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Don’t worry about it. Brass was used because it was cheap and easy to fabricate. The only reason to polish is if you are playing the part of the greenhorn.

But, but, but, what if you're into BLING???

 

[tenngun]

Don’t worry about it. Brass was used because it was cheap and easy to fabricate. The only reason to polish is if you are playing the part of the greenhorn.

I doubt it.
Military polished all for a snappy appearance. Civilians didn’t have to.
By federal time many guns were silver mounted, and we see this even on lots of SMR, known for an elegant plainness.
High dollar guns were often in iron, and SMR leaned toward it, but brass would stay in vogue well into breechloading times.
It is only one old fart’s opinion but I bet brass was used and kept shiny on civilian guns.
One might look at the amount of engraving on contemporary brass mounted guns and iron mounted guns sans engraving. If cost was the factor why boost up the price with carving and engraving?
It just seems to me they wanted fine looking.

 

[Old-Duckman]

Incralac, used on bronze statues etc.
Incralac (water and solvent-based)

I have used the solvent based product but don’t know how it would hold up to a lot of handling like on a trigger guard. But it is a great product for keeping copper bearing metals from tarnishing. I never used the water based version.

There is a flattening agent for Incralac but I have no experience with it. What I have used has a glossy finish.

 

[nchawkeye]

Back in the '70s, when I bought my first flintlock, I would polish the brass and rub the stock down with linseed oil at least once a month...Then, I went about 10 years and used nothing but that .45 caliber for squirrel and deer hunting...I went years and didn't polish, it developed a good patina, like you see on originals...Haven't polished brass on a muzzleloader in years and don't plant to...File, sand, polish when you make them, then use them!!!

 

[Col. Batguano]

Military polished all for a snappy appearance. Civilians didn’t have to.
By federal time many guns were silver mounted, and we see this even on lots of SMR, known for an elegant plainness.
High dollar guns were often in iron, and SMR leaned toward it, but brass would stay in vogue well into breechloading times.
It is only one old fart’s opinion but I bet brass was used and kept shiny on civilian guns.
One might look at the amount of engraving on contemporary brass mounted guns and iron mounted guns sans engraving. If cost was the factor why boost up the price with carving and engraving?
It just seems to me they wanted fine looking.

That brings up an interesting point. Yeah the military loves to have all brass be snappy looking and shiny. I think it's more to show the members the importance of attention to detail than it is for looks. In garrison it's one thing. In the field it's another. Nothing draws (enemy) fire like easily seen shiny officers' rank emblems, except maybe NCO / SNCO stripes. (When did the military go to the flat-looking collar emblems for NCO's / officers field uniforms anyway?). I think the Navy is big on brass because of tradition and the sparking issue. And, continually polishing brass is one of those "make work" things they can have you do if you look too idle.

It may have been different in ye olden days, but I doubt it.

 

[morehops52]

I used to polish my Hawken brass every coupla years. I realized shiny brass probably didn't help deer hunting and after letting it tarnish for many years I got to like it a lot. Ain't polished it 30+ years.

 

[Hawk54]

That brings up an interesting point. Yeah the military loves to have all brass be snappy looking and shiny. I think it's more to show the members the importance of attention to detail than it is for looks. In garrison it's one thing. In the field it's another. Nothing draws (enemy) fire like easily seen shiny officers' rank emblems, except maybe NCO / SNCO stripes. (When did the military go to the flat-looking collar emblems for NCO's / officers field uniforms anyway?). I think the Navy is big on brass because of tradition and the sparking issue. And, continually polishing brass is one of those "make work" things they can have you do if you look too idle.

It may have been different in ye olden days, but I doubt it.

The US Army went to subdued rank insignia in June of 1966.

 

[tenngun]

That brings up an interesting point. Yeah the military loves to have all brass be snappy looking and shiny. I think it's more to show the members the importance of attention to detail than it is for looks. In garrison it's one thing. In the field it's another. Nothing draws (enemy) fire like easily seen shiny officers' rank emblems, except maybe NCO / SNCO stripes. (When did the military go to the flat-looking collar emblems for NCO's / officers field uniforms anyway?). I think the Navy is big on brass because of tradition and the sparking issue. And, continually polishing brass is one of those "make work" things they can have you do if you look too idle.

It may have been different in ye olden days, but I doubt it.

It was different in the olden days. Uniforms were bright and showy. Officers often had real gold lace. Nelson at Trafalgar had a battle coat on, with imitation of all his awards and medals sewn on. He walked the deck in full view of the enemy.
Or Custer is remembered for his very splashy battle dress.
The idea of camouflage was known, but seen as cowardly.
Armor would persist for cavalry and brightly polished.
The stoic lines of brightly colored soldiers with their bright musket, marching like a red or blue or white wave was intimidating

 

[LRB]

Don’t worry about it. Brass was used because it was cheap and easy to fabricate. The only reason to polish is if you are playing the part of the greenhorn.

Brass was NOT cheap in the 18th c. That is why so much pewter and iron was commonly used whenever possible and practical.

 

[XVIIc Wheelock]

Tarnish is good....polish/high shine on brass is not on a flinter! Shiny brass equates to a novice, beginner, not an experienced shooter/hunter.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Dont got no brass on mine, just I missed all the fun

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I prefer tarnish, always have.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

Tarnish is good....polish/high shine on brass is not on a flinter! Shiny brass equates to a novice, beginner, not an experienced shooter/hunter.

Or, maybe the "experienced shooter/hunter" is too lazy to take care of his rig, clean and put a shine on things?? Different strokes for different folks??

And, if you were to acquire a "new to you" rig that had a shine on it, guessing you could throw a little dirt on it to dull the shine if it made you feel better??

 

[waksupi]

But, but, but, what if you're into BLING???

Also known as Pakistani chrome!

 

[James Kibler]

I prefer tarnish, always have.

I'm with you Mike. I always find it odd to see brass polished like a chrome bumper...