Dumb Question??

[sweed]

How do you normally finish the lockplate.   Is it finished as the barrel, or can it be case hardened or.....? I live close to the coast w/lots of salt water and am trying to get a long lasting finish on everything. Suggestions?

[J. Talbert]

Wear and corrosion resistance are two good reasons to case harden the external lock parts, as was common on original locks.
As far as the external appearance of the lock there are several options that are mostly up to choice.  Locks can be polished bright, browned, blued, and there are many variations of aged finishes.
Case colors are another option, although were probably not common on American longrifles.
Case hardening and polishing off the color on the external parts is done by some contemporary builders.

Jeff

[Acer Saccharum]

Browning and rust blue are very durable and will not corrode. Both treatments are forms of rust, evenly applied. Rust, once formed, does not continue to rust. Only if there is a continued presence of acids, ie, the parts not neutralized after browning/bluing.

But casehardened bright is traditional.

The higher the polish, the harder it is for rust to take hold.