cap and ball metal finishes

[jmaubin]

I'm new to BP shooting and wish to build from kits cap and ball revolvers such as 1860 new army, navy etc. what I wish to know is what is the way the metal was finished back it the day when these were made, Blueing, browning etc? any info would be great.

 

[StrawHat]

Colts finished their revolvers with a case hardened frame and blued barrel.

Small parts were fire blued. Hammer and trigger I believe were cased.

Remington blued everything.

These were standard finishes. For a fee, either would plate, engrave and embelish the revolver into a work of art.

 

[scrat]

a lot of the revolvers from that erra that are around today will have no finishing. almost just white steel. Some people will put an antique finish to their gun. To almost make it look browned. Others will go new look. all blued. i have a few that i kept new finish blued. Then i have two that i de blued to a white steel. Then just polished out the steel to keep from rusting. In the end its up to you. How you would like to see the gun. The best thing to do is to look at more guns. old and new. this will give you and idea of how to finish your guns.

One more thing welcome aboard.

Now that i mention it a pic thread would be a good idea.

 

[StrawHat]

Here is a pic of two 1860s, one blued, one natural.



I like them both.

 

[jmaubin]

Thanks for the info, I belive that I'll go with the natural polished steel look..

 

[scrat]

then you need to de blue her
i will see if i can find the link

 

[scrat]

here you go instruction on how to make her white again.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=344567&highlight=to+white+steel