Author Topic: Bright Brass (Read 10879 times)

jdm · « **on:** August 14, 2013, 02:17:23 AM »

I have a 1840's period rifle. The brass cap box and other brass parts were polished bright sometime before it came into my hands. Real bright! I am looking for ideas on how to dull it down with out hurting the integrity of the rifle.
Help from the experts would be appreciated.
Thanks JIM

ottawa · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2013, 04:14:37 AM »

rub with BP residue should dull it and help it look aged

jdm · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2013, 11:21:34 PM »

Ottawa, Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try.
JIM

JTR · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2013, 12:42:02 AM »

Ottawas' right, that'll work fine.
John

Buck · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2013, 01:41:05 AM »

What is BP residue bat @#$%/!!? Seriously what is it?
Buck

eddillon · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2013, 02:14:16 AM »

Has hydrogen sulfide in (rotten egg smell). One of the greatest tarnishing aids.

T.C.Albert · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2013, 02:22:51 AM »

BP residue = Black Powder residue...the stuff you dont want in the barrel.
tc

Buck · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2013, 02:41:24 AM »

Over thought that one (duh!). Thanks TC.
Buck

JTR · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2013, 02:46:23 AM »

Quote from: Buck on August 15, 2013, 02:41:24 AM

Over thought that one (duh!). Thanks TC.
Buck

Haha! I'm sure there's no BP residue on any of you guns, so how would you be expected to know!

John

Buck · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2013, 01:50:01 PM »

John it's been 25-30 years since I've shot black powder, I am way out of the loop on that.

JTR · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2013, 07:33:48 PM »

I ran across an old can of black powder in an ammo can under my work bench the other day, dated 1983, so it's been a while for me as well. Although I did have a good time shooting my 1874 Sharps 44-77 a couple months ago!
John

Chris Treichel · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2013, 09:07:16 PM »

Amonia vapors will patina/oxidize copper/brass... on a warm day (outside) using a plastic bucket...

I would dismount the brass items from the firearm as it also effects wood.

Place a cotton rag in the bottom of the bucket and splash some amonia on it.

Suspend the item in the bucket (like hanging it off crossed sticks).

Cover the bucket with another piece of cloth or black trash bag.

Wait about 15 minutes... check... wait... check.... wait. Might take 15 minutes to several hours to achieve the patina you are looking for. (don't let it go too long it might oxidize it too much ie pit the item).

To develop deeper color patinas you can wash/brush off some of the green with water and diluted vinigar...

jdm · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2013, 11:50:20 PM »

Chris, Thanks for the idea. That sounds like you could get great color using that technique .I may try that on something else. This particular rifle is not worth that much work.

Buck We have some bats living under our back deck. If you need some BP I can send you some.

Buck · « **Reply #13 on:** August 16, 2013, 01:30:08 AM »

Jim,
Thanks for extending the hospitality, normally I would pass but if that is what it takes to get you back to the Prairie Show then I would say yes, but it has to be hand delivered.
Buck

John,
1983 is about right for me also, the Old Man remarried in the winter of 82 and that was it. He picked it back up around 88 when they divorced, by that time I was too busy chasing cars and women.
Buck

eddillon · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2013, 02:13:40 AM »

Next time you clean a muzzle loader after a trip to the range, take one of the used cleaning patches, dampen with a little tap water and place it over the patch box. Re-position every few minutes for about 20 minutes total. Next day wipe with a piece of clead mattress ticking.

Black Hand · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2013, 08:26:31 PM »

Quote from: jdm on August 15, 2013, 11:50:20 PM

Buck We have some bats living under our back deck. If you need some BP I can send you some.

Odd that you would mention bat @#$%/!!. After all, a prime source for the potassium nitrate used in BP manufacturing was collections of bat @#$%/!! (Guano) in caves...

JCKelly · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2013, 04:31:39 AM »

If you leave brass in ammonia overnight it will crack.

Look up "Season Cracking", problem the Brits had when storing .577 Snider cartridges in horse barns during monsoon season.

eddillon · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2013, 06:48:22 AM »

Excessive exposure to ammonia also results in zinc deterioration. You can end up with a splotchy copper mess.

Buck · « **Reply #18 on:** August 17, 2013, 03:21:00 PM »

I had a rifle with the same issue and I tried pearl of sulfur, it didn't do much of anything.
Buck

Chris Treichel · « **Reply #19 on:** August 17, 2013, 04:54:29 PM »

that is why you only want to expose it to amonia vapors for a short amount of time...

Dogshirt · « **Reply #20 on:** August 17, 2013, 06:10:20 PM »

Quote from: Buck on August 17, 2013, 03:21:00 PM

I had a rifle with the same issue and I tried pearl of sulfur, it didn't do much of anything.
Buck

I'm not sure what pearl of sulfur is, but in an art class in high school we antiqued brass, copper and silver
jewelry in liver of sulfur. Needs to be done hot and OUTSIDE!

Buck · « **Reply #21 on:** August 17, 2013, 06:44:50 PM »

Dogshirt,
Liver of sulfur (I'm batting a thousand) is what it was.
Buck

JTR · « **Reply #22 on:** August 17, 2013, 06:58:46 PM »

Liver of Sulfur I have,,, I'll send you some Buck!
I tried it once and it didn't do much, but, I didn't try it Hot! Ohhh puke, I can only imagine the stink!

So how Hot is hot enough?

John

eddillon · « **Reply #23 on:** August 17, 2013, 07:24:51 PM »

Here is a how to video youtube link:
Liver of sulfur can be had on line or hobby shops like Hobby Lobby.

Buck · « **Reply #24 on:** August 17, 2013, 11:40:31 PM »

John,
I still have a full bottle of it in the garage. Some Guano and Liver of sulfur, I appreciate the generosity but I'll have to pass. Thanks John.

Buck

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Author Topic: Bright Brass (Read 10879 times)

ottawa

eddillon

eddillon

Black Hand

eddillon

Dogshirt

eddillon