Cold Patina Techniques

[MKemper]

As many of you know, amonia does a nice job of aging brass and other non-ferrous metals.  Question: Has anyone subjected a finished rifle to a "closed chamber" with amonia vapor in an attempt to age inlaid metals?  How does amonia affect the stock finish?

[Habu]

I'd be VERY cautious about doing this.  Ammonia may affect the stock finish (depending on what the finish is) but is very likely to penetrate the finish and affect the underlying wood.  While not as common as with some other woods, ammonia can have an effect on maple; it seems to depend on the soil where the tree was grown.  Your choice of stains may also have an effect on what the ammonia might do.