David,
Sorry for the delay in answering your question. I hadn't looked at the site for few days.
The first step of the metal finishing was with Homer Dangler's browning solution. A good number of coats ( and I could have used more) applied as directed, but with out any carding between coats. My plan was to get some fine pitting going on the surface but I probably should have let it go a little longer.
Next I used scotchbrite to remove the brown from the high spots and soften some sharp corners.
This leaves some of the metal essentially bare or bright (with some very light pitting if I had let the browning solution work a little longer).
Finally I used some brass darkening solution, that Jim Kibler has talked about in the past, over all the steel surfaces (in addition to brass, it darkens steel almost like cold blue) and then brushed it back with a very fine wire wheel (from Brownell's) spun in my drill press.
The lock was not browned; just finished with brass darkening solution and the wire wheel.
I'm still experimenting with the process. I liked the effect in some areas and not so much in others... but on to the next one!
Thanks again for the compliments.
My secret is all about copying people with good taste. 
Jeff
