New to BP & two guns in one week!

[John Galt]

I just took a notice of BP a week or two ago.....

- I've ordered an 1860 Colt/Uberti.

- Today I picked up a new-in-box Hawkins 50cal by T/C. Got it for half price! I'll have to check back with the seller, but I think it's maybe 15+ yrs old. Box was never opened. The extra high grade walnut tipped the scales.

Some bargain. I just spent about 4 hrs cleaning and polishing. Several polishes then a long lasting car wax on the brass. Tons of Break Free inside and out. A bunch of carnuba/bees wax worked into the wood. The wood was the only part that didn't need the attention. Now, it's better than new though.

* What's the best way to keep the brass shiney? If any.

Now, I've got to decide if I'm Davey Crocket or the Mad Trapper.

* Also, I need a couple links to catalogues for the accoutraments.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Mad Trapper - more accurate w/Hawkins

BTW, Davy wouldn't have had a Hawkins and probably carried a long rifle. While percussion could be had, I think he and many others preferred flint. In the old days, one could always find broken Indian arrowheads that were readily used for flints (if one ran out). Couldn't say the same for percussion caps (can't use brass tacks).

http://www.trackofthewolf.com great catalog and it's 1:1 scale when it comes to parts
http://www.smoke-fire.com got some nice accoutrements & plenty of patterns & books
http://www.jastown.com - y'all wear glasses and need period glasses?
http://www.pantherprimitives.com - need a tent (I have their Civil War soldier's tent)
http://www.jedediah-starr.com - lots of accoutrements & guns here. Saw them @ Friendship

Remember to select your period or personality, research it and then go & buy your stuff (or better yet, make it).

 

[Old Fuff]

Be sure to wipe out all the Break Free in the bore, and fire several caps to clear the nipple BEFORE you load it. Otherwise you could have a problem when it didn't fire. Break Free is fine when you want to store your guns, but not when you want too shoot them.

The wax will go a long way toward protecting the brass. If you want more protection give the individual parts a coat of lacquer. Be sure to get the wax off first though.

 

[Stickjockey]

John-

Try Dixie Gun Works.
The Evil Catalogue
More BP stuff than you ever thought possible. The catalogue is about $5, I think.

 

[CasualShooter]

What's the best way to keep the brass shiney? If any.

Don't polish! Let it oxidize - It's called patina.

Old things should look old. And replicas should look like old things.

 

[Ed]

Actually, and this kinda takes a turn off the post, I was at the Alamo 2 years ago and they had mostly Percussion rifles there. Had one of Crockets that was percussion too. It supprised me. I thought that it would be flint also. At least we can be sure that Daniel Boone carried Flint.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

John-

Try Dixie Gun Works.
The Evil Catalogue
More BP stuff than you ever thought possible. The catalogue is about $5, I think.

$6 if you like the book.