Anyone antique/patina brass - maybe engrave too

[Hood]

I'd like to find a steel patchbox for a Thompson Center Hawken. I want to put all steel parts on the gun and brown the steel. But haven't found a steel replacement patchbox and don't know of anyone that would make one. I don't want to inlet the gun either. So I was wondering if anyone does any type of patina to make the brass look like browning and maybe some engraving.

Thanks

[Daryl]

Might have to get a piece of 1/8" thick steel and make one. Thought there was a replacement for sale by someone - back in the late 70's, early 80's.

[Daryl]

Birchwood Casey make a Brass-Black solution years ago. It might still be available. You could try one of the instant blueing liquids, or paste. Birchwood Casey blueing paste or gel is one of the better ones.

[Hood]

I thought there was a steel replacement as well, but I can't find one.

I'll take a look at the Birchwood Casey products.
Thanks

[Mauser06]

Look up ammonia fuming brass. 


I did it to all my TC furniture.  Only thing that wouldn't take was the trigger guard..it must not been real brass. 


Might have to sand it a bit..there may be a clear coat on it...

Basically suspend the parts in a covered container above ammonia.

[Ky-Flinter]

Use caution, I've heard brass will get brittle if exposed to ammonia for too long.

-Ron

[Mikecooper]

I don't know if there's any way to make brass look like browned steel.   The brass black if it's available makes an artificial looking antique.  The best looking antique for brass is exposure to burned powder residue.  I think it may be the sulfur fumes that makes it turn black but I'n not sure.    I've antiqued copper with amonia fumes with no brittleness resulting so it may work for brass but I haven't tried it. 

[T*O*F]

Mustard works, as do egg yolks.

[Thom]

I have used Sulfurated potash with Ferric Nitrate and got deep brown with black splotches.

2 oz. Ferric Nitrate
1/4 oz Sulfurated potash
pint of distilled water.

Thom