I found a CVA 1861 Colt Navy that my dad got years ago and I just about have it done except for the brass and grip. I have the brass looking alot better than it did when I opened the kit but it still could use some work. I am out of ideas on what to use, this is the first kit I have built and the instructions for the gun are long gone. If anyone has any ideas that would be great. Thanks.
Finishing brass
- Thread starter jmquinn05
- Start date
bedbugbilly
New member
I'm assuming the brass is "as cast"? If so, staert with a fine mill file and smooth up the casting. Brass has a tendency to "clog" the teeth of the file which can cause even more "scratches" - one way around this is to run a piece of chalk over the file before filing and repeat as necessary. From there, various grades of emery paper can be used. Back the emery paper with a small wood block or similar so that surfaces remane flat and square where they need to be. Once you have it worked down with the emery paper - say perhaps a 400 or 600 grit, you can then do a final buffing of it with a buffing wheel mounted on a grinder utilizing rouge. Just take it slow and don't over file, emery paper or buff in order to keep square edges square, etc. It sounds like you have a fun project - good luck with it! Others on here will probably have other suggestions as well as there is always more than one way to "get 'er done". 
Most all of my BP guns were kits, I had a lot of fun putting them together, a lot of filing and sanding.
If you have a dremal tool you can use it to get into the small areas for sanding and polishing.
I use Flitz to polish all the brass, with very little effort it will look like gold when done.
Have fun!
If you have a dremal tool you can use it to get into the small areas for sanding and polishing.
I use Flitz to polish all the brass, with very little effort it will look like gold when done.
Have fun!