Correct finish for Chambers Late Ketland Lock

[RFindley]

I am using a Chambers Late Ketland lock for my half stock fowler c. 1812-1816 with a browned octagon to round barrel.  What would be an appropriate finish for the Ketland lock?  Furniture will be iron.  Thanks

[smallpatch]

Browned or bright.  My vote would be browned.

[Dennis Glazener]

Or some of Kiblers Patina, that stuff looks great.
Dennis

[Mark Elliott]

I don't believe a brown finish would be correct for any lock unless you are trying to duplicate 200 years of abuse.   You can add some patina if you want an aged look, but you should start with a highly polished lock.   That is my opinion based on seeing many original locks inside and out.

[rich pierce]

Agree with Mark. It's hard to unlearn things we "knew" were right. It seems most locks were case hardened and polished bright when new during the flintlock period. Then many got rusted and cleaned, rusted and cleaned till they look like they must have been browned at some point.

[RFindley]

Good points and I like the look of the Kibler's Patina.  Big question - for an English Fowler, octagon-round barrel, c.1812-1816, iron funiture, walnut half-stock:  should I go with a browned barrel and furniture or with a bright finish (i.e. Kibler's Patina or gray tone)

The original piece you simply can not tell.

[Pete G.]

I like to paint the lock with phosphoric acid, sold as rust remover. It gives sort of an antique mottled gray look.

[rfd]

i like all the iron/steel left bright in-the-white to patina on its own.