9 year project finally complete!

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Smokepole14

Smokepole14

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Way way back in Jan of 2013 I started a project to “antique” my pietta new model army. The blueing was staring to come off in places and especially around the backstrap. It really bothered me and I always wanted to go after the old brown finish look. So i thought what the heck I’m gonna go for it. So I soaked the gun in vinegar to remove the factory blue and get it in the white. Next thing I know it’s been 9 years and two houses moved. I was goin through one of my ammo lockers and I found the bottle of birchwood casey plum brown. I thought to myself it’s time to finish what I started. So my project today was to finish what I started. In the 9 years the remmy had a tiny amount of surface rust starting to form. It wasn’t very much it’s been kept in a controlled climate. So i buffed it down with scotchbright and acetone real good to remove any oils. Took a propane torch and heated it up pretty good and started to work the plum brown in. Few hours later I’ll say I’m pretty happy with it so far. The only thing i see I don’t like is the brass trigger guard is to shiny. I’m gonna have to find a way to age it a little. Lighting isn’t the best but I’ll get more pics when I get the brass dulled down a bit. Here’s a before and after pic.
6D927C7C-80AD-4452-96B7-915598965681.jpeg
33811D75-C091-498A-A7AB-3CB61201DB0D.jpeg
 
Love the after.

To age brass, fume in a container with white vinegar. First get a container with airtight lid big enough for your parts. Next put a jar lid with white vinegar in the bottom. Put your parts in. Seal and place in sunshine. Leave till you're satisfied.
 
Black powder residue will give a great aged patina on the brass. Each time you clean your revolver after firing it, rub the dirty powder residue patch/cloth on the brass. Let it develop a patina and then wipe with oil to keep the aged brass looking nice.

Try it. Good luck in your endeavor.
 
dave951 said:
Love the after.

To age brass, fume in a container with white vinegar. First get a container with airtight lid big enough for your parts. Next put a jar lid with white vinegar in the bottom. Put your parts in. Seal and place in sunshine. Leave till you're satisfied.
Click to expand...
I’ve always used ammonia. They work great and look just like aged brass.
 
Smokepole14 said:
Way way back in Jan of 2013 I started a project to “antique” my pietta new model army. The blueing was staring to come off in places and especially around the backstrap. It really bothered me and I always wanted to go after the old brown finish look. So i thought what the heck I’m gonna go for it. So I soaked the gun in vinegar to remove the factory blue and get it in the white. Next thing I know it’s been 9 years and two houses moved. I was goin through one of my ammo lockers and I found the bottle of birchwood casey plum brown. I thought to myself it’s time to finish what I started. So my project today was to finish what I started. In the 9 years the remmy had a tiny amount of surface rust starting to form. It wasn’t very much it’s been kept in a controlled climate. So i buffed it down with scotchbright and acetone real good to remove any oils. Took a propane torch and heated it up pretty good and started to work the plum brown in. Few hours later I’ll say I’m pretty happy with it so far. The only thing i see I don’t like is the brass trigger guard is to shiny. I’m gonna have to find a way to age it a little. Lighting isn’t the best but I’ll get more pics when I get the brass dulled down a bit. Here’s a before and after pic.
View attachment 1085468
View attachment 1085470
Click to expand...
That is a nice job of it… no too much as I’ve seen elsewhere. I have long wondered why manufacturers of these replicas are so doggone stuck on the poly stock finishes and bright orange red dies! Even plainest walnut looks good with a couple coats of an oil type finish and then it wears in to fit the owners hand. Of course it’s easily scratched and dinged but then so are the owners and we’re better for the experience.

I received a copy of Sharps rifle of Montana the other day. Most of them were stored in blankets laying atop other Sharps rifles. Many many rifles worth. Not a lot of special care seems to have been paid to them beyond cleaning and oiling and the most of them look amazing.
 
I know that feeling of a job put off and finally completed. I just recently reinstalled a replacement loading lever pin for the Uberti 1851 I had put off. I bought it awhile ago to replace the last one that jiggled loose then just used duct tape on each side to retain the pin that whole time. I finally got so sick of the tacky appearance, I used a hammer and plyers to peen out the edges slightly, so the pin could be driven through, but only with hammer pressure. Then I fiddled the pin into position, hammered it in, and it got stuck so tight I can hardly tell the pin is a separate piece from the lever now.
 
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