Aged Brass Finish

[ozkjim]

How can I put an even tarnished finish on my brass patch box and hardware.
                                                                                                                                    Jim

[Brian Jordan]

Rub your dirty patches on the brass after you clean your rifle.

[rich pierce]

If you want an instant result, take the furniture off, heat whatever parts aren't soldered to dull red and quench in water.

[long carabine]

French's mustard

[SR James]

Household ammonia fumes will patina brass.  Put some ammonia in a container and suspend the part over the fumes.  Do not apply the ammonia directly...the fumes do the work.

[smallpatch]

Sometimes the modern way is also the quickest and easiest.

BC Brass Black.

Rub it on with a swab, let it work, lightly steel wool to the patina you want.

[T*O*F]

Sometimes the modern way is also the quickest and easiest.

Or you can do it the old fashioned way and rub it with a green hazelnut.

[E.vonAschwege]

I primarily use ammonia vapor.  Parts suspended in a container with ammonia in the bottom.  Be careful with thin parts however, as it will make things brittle.  I'll leave things in a couple hours or a bit more.  This puts a greenish tarnish on the brass, which can be rubbed back with burlap or steel wool to get brown underneath.  Don't let ammonia touch the brass directly or you'll get uneven tarnish and corroded brass. 

TOF, neat tip about the green hazelnut. 
-Eric

[LRB]

  Brownells Dicropan T-4 cold blue. It's better than brass black in that it leaves the brass more of a tarnished brown look, with some blackish in places.

[frogwalking]

Once it is all polished and shiny, just don't shine it again, rub hands on it every time you pick the rifle up.  It will be slower, but much more even and authentic.  It could not be easier. 

[E.vonAschwege]

Once it is all polished and shiny, just don't shine it again, rub hands on it every time you pick the rifle up.  It will be slower, but much more even and authentic.  It could not be easier. 

Unless you've got sweat like mine, which takes the tarnish off a penny in minutes, but works great on steel  !  The entry pipe and guard rail on all my rifles is bright due to handling. 
-E

[Lord Calvin]

    Take a little blackpowder, add some water to make a thin paste. Then rub on your hardware. Let set for a few seconds then wipe off. Instant patina for dirt cheap !!!  Repeat  till you get the results you desire, then buff with a course cloth like denim or red shop rags. A light coat of oil when done. So easy a caveman could do it!!