browning locks

[Curt Larsen]

I've seen some old original locks as well as other new ones like Davis' late English that have a black color.  I generally use LMF browning on my locks and barrels.  I wondered what type of solution to use to get that black color.  Mostly I need to touch up wear on one of Davis' locks.
Curt

[elk killer]

you can use cold blueing,
put it in boiling water for a few minutes
it will come out black,
i have used Brownells Oxpho cold blue

[Frenchy]

If you boil the parts you are "Browning" in distilled water, they will turn black. AKA...rust bluing.

[Micah2]

If you are using LMF, reapply and let it rust up some, then drop it in boiling water and it will turn black grey.  If you apply any oil before you dip it then it will stay brown.  You can touch up like this as well.

[David R. Pennington]

You can get almost the same color by dipping the browned part in used motor oil and burning it off. Repeat till you get what you want. Mr. Schippers talks about doing this in his engraving book. With small parts like lock plates it is just about as easy to boil them. This works pretty good on screws when the heat blue would stand out too much. Kind of a black oxide finish I guess?

[Curt Larsen]

Good advice.  I'll give it a try.  Thanks!