To Polish the Brass Furniture or Not?

[Trep44]

I have a Navy Arms Remington Zoli Zouave. I purchased the rifle used in 1975. The lock is dated 1960 and barrel # 740. I have been out of muzzle loading for about 15 years, so I have a lot of questions and I have been learning a great deal from a number of very helpful members on this forum. The barrel, lock and stock are all in excellent condition. But I have never polished any of the brass furniture and all the brass has a strong patina from the years of handling.

What is the general consensus regarding the polishing of brass? Let the rifle age to give it an antique look or polish to give it a new look?

Chuck

 

[Bledfor Days]

I aquired an unfired TC .45 Hawken and couldn't leave the brass tarnished. I get teased a bit by the 'Mountain Men' at our shoots but I don't care. I like shiny sometimes.

 

[Gene L]

I vote no.

 

[Bearkiller]

I prefer an aged patina

 

[Pete44ru]

If you prefer bling, polish it.

If you're going to hunt it, leave the patina.

I hunt my .36 & .45 T/C Seneca's

 

[dsayer]

Personal preference of course but I let my brass age naturally and gracefully.

 

[Zonie]

I have a Navy Arms Remington Zoli Zouave. I purchased the rifle used in 1975. The lock is dated 1960 and barrel # 740. I have been out of muzzle loading for about 15 years, so I have a lot of questions and I have been learning a great deal from a number of very helpful members on this forum. The barrel, lock and stock are all in excellent condition. But I have never polished any of the brass furniture and all the brass has a strong patina from the years of handling.

What is the general consensus regarding the polishing of brass? Let the rifle age to give it an antique look or polish to give it a new look?

Chuck

I would say, leave the patina. It is a part of your guns character that it has developed over the years with you.

Yes, maybe it developed its patina just sitting in the closet for all of those years but those years are still a part of its history.

 

[Trep44]

Thanks for all the feed back....I will keep the patina.

Chuck

 

[Rifleman1776]

Personal choice. When I got my TC back in the 70s I would wipe the brass with my dirty swabbing patch after every shot and swab just to add patina.

 

[rafterob]

I say if you have plenty of time on your hands, polish it. Mine exhibits a lovely patina resulting from years of neglect.

 

[THBailey]

On our hunting guns we paint all the blueing and shiny stuff with dark flat paint.

 

[FishDFly]

I always thought polishing brass was kind of like brushing your teeth, it's a personal choice.

 

[Bledfor Days]

My shiny rifles are nothing compared to what I do to my powder measures. Lol.

 

[dave951]

NO

 

[bubba.50]

I usually polish it once when I first get the gun then forget it. If it’s strictly a huntin’ gun I leave the patina.

 

[PluggedNickel]

My shiny rifles are nothing compared to what I do to my powder measures. Lol.View attachment 9989

I polish my brass, but I no longer hunt, so to each his own. If I were still hunting I’d probably let it patina. I polish all my accoutrements as well, then give a coat of Renaissance Wax.

 

[Ames]

I polish it with the fouling of a dirty patch. Super patina.

 

[Pete G]

If your persona is a soldier or a greenhorn, then polish away; otherwise leave it alone.

 

[Eddie2002]

I will polish when I first get the gun then let it age and get a patina.

 

[hanshi]

I don't polish mine. It's more laziness than anything else, although I do like patina.