Poll - Do You Prefer Polished or Tarnished Brass?

[arcticap]

Read the answers carefully because you only get one choice.
Choose the answer that's the closest match.

 

[troy fairweather]

Since this is in the bp section is guess loading with black powder. With bp it's a good idea to have nice clean brass, or at least on the inside. But really who doesn't like nice shinny brass lol.

 

[expat_alaska]

You forgot one: "I prefer polished brass on handguns only". I don't collect BP long guns, so I went with #1.

To explain: I collect replica BP revolvers only and want them to look like they came straight out of the factory as new, regardless of modern markings/billboards. It blows me away when ACW re-enactors and others defarb/antique/distress modern Italian repro revolvers to "look the era part" when the uniforms they wear don't look 150+ years old.

To wit: I acquired a Pietta 1851 Navy 4-screw CFS revolver (AZ/1990) a while ago in a trade. The gun had been shot long ago and put away without cleaning. The internals were full of BP residue and the brass was pitiful. It cleaned up well, is now functional (with a few tweaks to the bolt and hand), but the brass was a disaster. I cleaned/polished the brass as well as I could using #0000 steel wool, but I guess the "patina" went deep into the brass so it isn't very "shiny". Your call.



Regards,

Jim

 

[arcticap]

Brasso Metal Polish works really good for polishing brass and most other metals too.

 

[grter]

Polished like new is what I like. I would also like to do that to super rare antique full of "patina" before shooting hundreds of rounds though it and then cleaning it up again.

To be fair I think brass tarnish acts to protect the metal and constant polishing may over time wear a significant amount of brass away but finely polished brass starts to look silver like and is as shiny as chrome. It's stunning.

Bannockburn's photos just reminded me that slightly tarnished brass is no sloucher in the looks department either and may be a better idea if you use your guns for hunting.

 

[bannockburn]

My Traditions Hawken rifle came with bright polished brass parts and I didn't like the way they looked. So I used a little steel wool on the them to give them a more matte appearance and I was pleased with the end result.

Now on my revolvers I prefer the brass to be bright and shiny; just think it looks better with the blued and color case hardened parts.

 

[Dave T]

I assumed he was talking about black powder cartridge brass, which I clean and tumble after shooting. If the question was directed toward brass gun parts...you guys are on your own.

Dave

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

In my opinion, a nice patina on Brass is essential for the best look just like a beautiful copper verdigris is on a copper roof.

 

[troy fairweather]

I know if you leave brass in your pickup bed for a year it gets a very nice black patina. I'm sure there's ways to speed that up lol.

 

[SlowFuse]

Tarnish makes it sound worse than it is I guess. But I like the well used (but not neglected) look of the patina/tarnish on brass.

Blingy shiny brass on either rifles or pistols/revolvers makes me think it's missing out on some of the fun of actually being used.

Collectibles and rare stuff aside, give me the dark dull brass.

 

[arcticap]

I recall a run of Uberti revolvers where the brass wasn't polished bright.
The surface had a slightly darker and frosted [or sand blasted] look to it that was very well executed.
I can't find a photo of that gun but the 10 day white vinegar treatment that Eyrie G. Dogg used on a new trigger guard produced a great example of the different color that "tarnished" or "antiqued" brass can have.
It's just a darker shade.
The photos below were posted by Eyrie G. Dogg. --->>> https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/newer-revolver-aged-look.840849/#post-10915256

 

[Heir Kommt Die Sonne]

I prefer the darkened look of well used brass over the shiny new brass. For me, the Italian guns being such a dime a dozen, I really don't like the brand new look of them. Hence, I usually almost always do some customization work.
The tarnished brass is like a badge of honor for me because it shows the gun has been well used and shot. It always shines quickly when you rub it with a cloth anyway, but it retains the used color.
However with this said, I'd never purposely age brass. As I said it's a badge of honor for me, not something to just cheat my way towards. Aged brass is most worth it when it's your own accomplishment.

 

[Pocket]

For me it depends on my mood. I keep my vest pocket shined all the time. The others, just when I want to.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

I don't like brass on any thing, especially if it's shiny. That being said I have used it for a skeleton butt plate on my .36 squirrel rifle. I prefer dull non reflective finish on my stuff.

 

[woodnbow]

I know if you leave brass in your pickup bed for a year it gets a very nice black patina. I'm sure there's ways to speed that up lol.

Remove the lacquer typically used to protect the shiny brass and hang the pieces in a five gallon bucket with a half cup of ammonia in the bottom. Cover and place this in the sunshine for a few hours. #do not breath the fumes!!# it will age brass very quickly.

 

[Mike 56]

I like a natural tarnished look from use and cleaning.

 

[X62503]

I like the look of darkened brass that is bright in high spots or where there has been some rubbing to yield a polish.