A question of Brass

[rangermurphy]

Getting to the end of my rifle project and was wondering what is the smoothest I should be sanding the brass to?

I don't want to polish it (or should it be polished) correct?

What is the ideal finish for the brass to end up at so as to begin to age gracefully? 

[Eric Krewson]

I buff mine to a mirror finish and let it tarnish, sometimes with the help of a black powder fowled cleaning patch.

[Don Stith]

I am at the other end of the spectrum from Eric
  I like 150 grit garnet paper on brass, backed with a cork block

[Mark Elliott]

I polish brass mounts and locks to 600 grit and them rub back with a lt gray Scotchbrite pad.    Steel that I am going to age,  I only go to 320 or 400 grit.   

[Robby]

Sometimes I take it to a uniform 600 finish then rub it pretty good with Brasso. It ages in real nice.
Robby

[rangermurphy]

Thanks.