Need a browning soloution

C

cntryboy1289

New member
I have an antique SG that a guy has asked me to replace the missing trigger gaurd. I need to match the patina of the gun's finish and I think it may be better to brown the trigger gaurd I have made to match as close as possible. There is no bluing left and it has a brownish patina left on it. Does anyone have a browning solution that I can duplicate that won't be quite as dark as the old browning solutions I have used before. I will try to post a pic of it tomorrow so you can see what I am trying to match. The old pennsylvania long rifles I used to make do not match at all. They were a lot darker than this one needs to be. Hopefully someone out there can help with this one.
 
I have a browning formula but it involves using ammonia and several different types of acids. I was going to post it here but had second thoughts. If you want to call me at the shop I'll give you the formula. Shop hours are 10:00am to 6:00pm central time Monday thru Friday.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
You can also buy ready-made chemical browning solutions from Brownell's Gunsmith Supply, and black powder gun suppliers like Dixie Arms.
 
The cheap stuff in a kit from birchwood casey(been so long since I did my gun[the CVA .50], but it turned out authentic browning look) does the trick if you want a fast solution. Simple coat the piece, and toss it in the oven for a bit at like, I think it was 400 degrees. Browned it real nice. I forget if I had to apply a finish or wire brush it though... been about 3 years.
 
Thanks

I am sort of in a quandry with this one. I think I will slow rust blue the part first and then see if it will take a light coating of the browning solution I normally use. I think the gun has sort of a rusted over blue look it. It will be the trigger gaurd so it will be very visible and I want it to match as close as possible. What I used to use is a formular very much like Mr Hunter says that he uses. I dropped in a hand full of nails into the mix to get the rust and then applied it basically the same as cold bluing. I got a very good red-brown color with it, but I think it may be a tad darker than the rest of the gun. I think the blue under the brown may give the color I am looking for. I will post pics when I get a chance tomorrow.

Mr. Hunter, would you think I am on the right track with my idea? Other than allowing the part to rust over the slow rust blue for a few days, what would you think would be a close match? Thanks for any input.
 
pic

Here's a pic of the gun. Any ideas would be appreciated. Notice the right side firing pin....... it's a nail and not a firing pin...LOL. I just happened to notice the pin had a different diameter than the left side. Someone decided the nail might work.
 

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In his 1938 book titled The Amateur Guncraftsman, James Virgil Howe lists the following:

"A Simple Browning Formula

16 oz. sweet spirits niter​
16 oz. pure grain alcohol​
2 oz. corrosive sublimate​
Mix in a blue or brown bottle, and cork for use.​

Polish the barrel and action perfectly; then rub thoroughly with quicklime (calcium oxid) on a cloth, which removes grease and dirt; now apply the browning fluid with a clean swab, applying one coat, and set it in a warm dark place for 12 hours, or until a red rust forms on all the metal parts; then card it off on a wire wheel or with 3/0 steel wool. Repeat the process until a dark shade appears."

I haven't used this formula, but given the credentials of its author (Howe was a partner in Griffen & Howe, the world-famous gunsmithing firm) it certainly might be worth trying.

Hope this helps.

Good luck, and good shooting!
 
Actually the method I was refering to uses three different applications of different chemicals an acids. Each application is dried in a warm place before the next is applied. On the last acid application the work piece can be placed near the fire until the desired color is reached, once the desired color is reached the piece needs to be removed immediately. If left by the fire to long the piece will turn black. This may have very well been the method used on the old gun and that may be giving the rusted over blue appearence.
Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
 
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