To brown (a barrel) or not

[CrazyIrishman]

I recently acquired an older Thompson-Center Hawken in 54cal., and I was wondering what y'all thought about browning the barrel.

The finish is a little worn and the bluing looks more like its a matte finish but it still appears in serviceable condition.

I realize it will never be a "real" Hawken, but I was curious to hear what the consensus is about doing something like this.


Thanks,

CI

 

[WV SCROUNGER]

Brown???

Yes... Brown it ! Laurel Mountain Forge Browning solution will do a Fantastic job and its easy to use....you will Love the Result...

 

[Chawbaccer]

I used Birchwood Casey Plum Brown on mine about 35 years ago, still holding up.

 

[JT-AR-MG42]

I browned a Lyman with the B-C browning solution soon after the Great Plains came out. You will be happy with the results. When I decided to sell it, the buyer told me that the finish made his decision to buy mine over a new one.

I had never even considered shooting it until I got the browning finished.

The early TC's are known plumb center guns. As far as the 'real' Hawken part goes, we are all shooting repros., whether your TC or a multi thousand dollar custom. We all have different tastes, but a Hawken NEEDS to be browned!

Good luck with your decision and results, JT

 

[Jaymo]

I've been thinking about re-browning my Moroku/DGW Tennessee Mountain Rifle flintlock. I like the look of blue better than brown, but brown would look a lot more authentic.
Should the lock be browned, also, or left in the white?
I personally think the lock would LOOK better browned than white.
Then again, I think the whole thing would look better blued than browned. But, I've never seen one blued, so it's hard to say.
If I had a long bluing tank, I'd give the whole thing a good saltpeter/lye hot blacking. It's hard, slick, and wear resistant. From a functional standpoint, it would be much better than browning, but it wouldn't look right.
Thinking about boring my .50 T/C New Englander to 20 gauge, browning the metal, refinishing the stock with tung oil, and inletting an iron patch box into the stock.
I'm afraid that if I do, I'll never shoot my 20 gauge 870 again.

I say, go for it. Brown that T/C Hawken. It would look good.

 

[CrazyIrishman]

Thanks for your answers,guys!

The guy thats going to do it for me also said they had rust bluing in the 1850's era, so he said although either one would be period, browning is the better finish. BTW, this guy builds muzzleloaders for a living.


Hi Jaymo,

I'm not familiar with the barrel you have but it might not be able to be bored to 62cal. (20 gauge) SAFELY!

For instance,my barrel in 54cal. is 1" across the flats. The 50 cals. from T/C were usually 15/16ths"!


HTH,

CI