Browning a barrel

[Timberdog]

What is another method to brown a barrel
and furniture besides using nitric or cupric
as noted in building a pennsylvania long rifle?
I would like to let it hang and develope
some rust for a rustic look.  Thanks for any reply

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Bury the barrel in manure for about three months.  A good friend who has used this method reported excellent results.  However, if you do, you're on your own.

[Scott Semmel]

All of the cold rust formulas homemade or store bought are agents that promote rusting. The finish you get depends on the amount of rusting you allow between carding. The speed of the rusting depends on temperature and humidity and the browning regent. The higher the temp  and humidity the quicker things oxidize. If you are looking for an aged pitted look you card less frequently. I have always used Whakun Bay regent with the exception of one attempt with a hot brown that was a rather dismal failure. Another option is just leave the barrel in the white and let nature take its course.

[Timberdog]

Thanks Scott, without the cow dung.
 What I have is a Lyman flint I bought from
track. I want to strip it down and brown it.
I used the heat in the oven and apply browning
solution on my first gun. Was just wanting a more
aged look, without the use of cows

[T*O*F]

Bury the barrel in manure for about three months.

Obviously most of us don't have it piled high and deep around us as some do.

What is another method to brown a barrel

There is only one method to brown a barrel...cause it to rust.  All others "methods" are merely ways to accelerate, provide alternate shades of color to the rust, or control its pitting rate.  Complex formulas aren't necessary to cause rust.

The simplest is a saturated solution of saltwater.

[westerner]

Salt water. seal the bore and leave it outside.  It will rust.  Many many gun barrels were done with salt water in the old days. It still works.

            Joe.