Purpose of browning?

[James]

Hello, I find much info on how, but I am curious as to why. Is it an aging technique or were guns browned to keep the metal from corroding any more? If I stain my rifle to try and look as it may have if it were "new" in 1795-1810, would the browned barrel and lock be correct too? Thank you.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

If you leave everything bright polished, you can't go wrong, though I'm sure there will be lots of other opinions forthcoming.  And you could brown the barrel without being incorrect, but I don't think you should brown the lock...should be bright if as-new.

Yes, the browning is to protect the steel from oxidation (rust).

[keweenaw]

The browning will also reduce glare somewhat depending on the initial polish and the fineness of the browning.

tom

[Scout]

To prevent deterioration of the firearm under weather or adverse conditions.

Pre- parkerizing !

[Swampwalker]

'russeting' as it was known was used during the flintlock era, and is an appropriate finish on a new gun.  However, locks were usually case hardened, and would probably have appeared grey, depending on how much they rubbed back the case hardening colors.

[James]

I find this all to be very interesting. I was curious about the locks too, so thanks for mentioning it. I know that many go for the way the guns look after  a couple hundred years, but I am after that "brand new" look.

[flintriflesmith]

In the time period you selected --1795-1810 -- browning was the new thing in rifle barrel finishes in America. Prior to that period bluing or leaving the metal bright were the choices.

In your time window some rifles were still being left bright or charcoal blued while other were being browned.

Gary

[Hawken62_flint]

I brown all my barrels and also most of the lock parts. I usually fire blue the screw heads that show and blue the frizzen spring or leave it natural.  I do this not because it is period correct, but it cuts down on glare when hunting and I use my rifles for hunting.  Plus, all who have mentioned that browning protects your firearm are correct. I have had my rifles out in all kinds of falling weather and all they need when they get home is a rub down with an oily rag and they look as good as when they were built.

[gregg]

In the time period you selected --1795-1810 -- browning was the new thing in rifle barrel finishes in America. Prior to that period bluing or leaving the metal bright were the choices.

In your time window some rifles were still being left bright or charcoal blued while other were being browned.

Gary

               
What is charcoal blued. that is not a bright peacock blue is it?

[flintriflesmith]

gregg,

Charcoal blue is generated by heat with the barrel in a reduced oxygen atmosphere created by placing the barrel in a tightly controlled charcoal pack or fire.

The temperature needed is considerably higher than the 600 or so degrees that produce the royal or peacock blue used for drawing the temper of many springs. Charcoal blue is a thick and much more durable coating (compared to draw blue) that developes at about 900 degrees and is usually a gray blue color.

I'm sure there are many references to the process in the achcives.
Gary