Thank You Loyalist Dave!

[J-Bar]

In another thread (Finishing a Kit) Loyalist Dave mentioned using mustard to produce an antique patina on firearms.

I have a pair of Ruger Old Army percussion revolvers that I have used for years in Cowboy Action competition. I antiqued them a long time ago using "Longshot Logan's" method, stripping off the factory finish and using Birchwood Casey Plum Brown barrel finish for a patina. But I was never 100% pleased with the result. I certainly preferred my new look to the factory finish, but it was relatively flat.



Since it is cold here and I had time, I figured what the heck, try the mustard approach. And I am very pleased; it has produced a much more subtle and varied appearance:







Here is the brand I used because I had it in my fridge. I had enough left for my sandwich at lunch!



So, thank you Loyalist Dave for a fun project!

 

[ShotgunDave]

Those look great J-Bar!

I have a Navy that I've been contemplating doing this to. I think I may just run down to the Dollar Store and grab a container of mustard now!

 

[expat_alaska]

Dave, if you are going to do that with your new Pietta Navy acquisition, just send me the gun and I will send you enough cases of whatever brand of mustard you like to last you 50 years.

Jim

 

[ShotgunDave]

Dave, if you are going to do that with your new Pietta Navy acquisition, just send me the gun and I will send you enough cases of whatever brand of mustard you like to last you 50 years.

Jim

LOL!
Not a chance Jim! I have that Centennial Arms pistol that I'm considering doing this to. I have it up for trade right now, but if no one wants it in the next few days, I'm gonna give this a go.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

You're welcome...
Basically it's just holding the mild acid in place from vinegar while it reacts.
I found it when my boy was a toddler...into everything....I needed something that would patina metal for historic demonstrations that wasn't toxic....voila, generic, supermarket mustard.

OH some ketchups work, but they have sugar and draw ants.
Mayo works too, but it goes rancid and will give the uncareful person food poisoning.



LD

 

[J-Bar]

You're welcome...
Basically it's just holding the mild acid in place from vinegar while it reacts.
I found it when my boy was a toddler...into everything....I needed something that would patina metal for historic demonstrations that wasn't toxic....voila, generic, supermarket mustard.

OH some ketchups work, but they have sugar and draw ants.
Mayo works too, but it goes rancid and will give the uncareful person food poisoning. LD

These revolvers are a work in progress. I will probably dab some more mustard on them as winter drags on. I'll post photos of significant changes.

Those who think antiquing is a sacrilege are entitled to their opinion. I would not do it to every gun I own. Just the lucky ones!

 

[John E.B.Rawton]

J-Bar, those revolvers are looking pretty good. I am seriously considering this for one of my guns.

Where did you start and how did you get to this point?

I have been looking through some past posts concerning the act of “antiquing” a gun. I’ve read many different views on this idea. I view this as a personal form of expression, art if you will. $300 for an Italian replica is not unreasonable to obtain a blank canvas. The mechanics and the gun’s ability to perform is not changed through the process. And I am not so sure an original 2019 Italian made cap gun will ever increase in value so why not?
Nobody knows what a revolver built in 1851 might have looked like in 1871. It would depend on who owned it and how they used it. Perhaps if it was kept in a box and shot half a dozen times a year it would be pristine. I have been shooting my clones for about eight years. I was shooting smokeless rounds and would not do anymore than give a wipe with a dry rag and back in the box until the next month. I never cleaned them or oiled them and one can not tell. Now if I had the life where I could strap on that revolver everyday and go about living life they might look completely different after those eight years. My point is I think it is pretty cool to envision how “your” gun might look if it lived the life you imagine.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Reminds me of French Grey (and not Grey Poupon, the mustard).