Polishing rifle furniture

[flintlockmdj]

To what extent was the brass usually finished on original muzzleloaders? Was it shined mirror bright or something less? :hmm:

 

[Mike Brooks]

Something less. Burnished for the most part, abrasives were carried in oil and probably rubbed with hard felt.
We're talking colonial american rifles here, europe was a different case.

 

[szihn]

No, it was less in most cases.
In the days before Norton and 3M the brass was usually polished with verious abrasives and leather or wood.
There were polishes in those days that would take metal to a mirror, and they were used inn the Silver industry. The average riflesmith would not use them and the average customer in those days probably didnt want it that bright.

I would guess (just a guess--- from the originals I have examined and worked on) that the closest modern equivalent to their common finish would be about 320 grit. Some of the surfaces on the brass is even smoother now, but that's after 175-250 years of handling, and it get's worn in that amount time. You can see that in the edges and the engraving. So this is an educated guess, but it's still just a guess.
I'd like to get Mike Brooks "read" on this too. He may have some insites that would be worth hearing.

 

[szihn]

whoops
Looks like Mike beat me to it.

 

[dlemaster]

As mike and Steve have said it was less. I generally go to 400 grit and they look fine to most everyone.
Hope this helps.

Regards, Dave

 

[Ohio Rusty]

If you have castings of rifle furniture that look like they are rough cast or smooth, but grainy looking on the outside, how do you or what do you use to sand and polish the brass furniture to a smooth shine?

 

[DrTimboone]

Well, I used files and then scrapers on my last one and then a piece of leather with some jewelers rouge... It has scraper marks when antiqued but ....

 

[bnail]

Hey Mike, is that how you finish yours? "abrassive in oil" is that similar to using Jeweler's rouge?

 

[Mike Brooks]

I use emery cloth backed with a file, combined with some burnishing

 

[renovato]

I use files to get the surfaces smooth, then sandpaper to remove the file marks. I prefer my brass to be glass smooth, so I sand to 600 grit then polish with Iosso on a felt bob or wheel. A bench grinder with felt wheel makes short work of things like patch boxes, butt plates and trigger guards. A Dremel for the little stuff. I tend to get the brass very shiny and smooth, then let it tarnish to a pleasing patina.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

To what extent was the brass usually finished on original muzzleloaders? Was it shined mirror bright or something less? :hmm:

Shiney brass will get your hair lifted. :grin:

 

[Zonie]

What Hair? :rotf:

zonie

 

[TANSTAAFL]

What Hair? :rotf:

zonie

Sea, dat'l teche yar ta shiny dat brass. :grin: