Original Finish?

Percussion Pete · May 10, 2010, 04:16:34 PM

Hi Pards,

I have a couple of 1860 Pietta's that look too new to me. I love old stuff, but buying the original finish was way too expensive for me. I'm still scrounging enough money for a shotgun and rifle so I can go make some smoke in CAS.

So, how can I strip off the blueing and make it look like the original finish Colts I see for sale? How do you protect the steel with no bluing?

Thanks

St. George · May 10, 2010, 05:26:29 PM

The 'original finish' you're referring to is 'missing/worn finish'.

The weapons during the era would've been pretty new - even after the Civil War - they didn't look like guns with over 100 years on them that are seen in catalogs today.

Just 'use' them and let them age naturally and you'll be well-pleased after a season or two.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Jefro · May 10, 2010, 05:59:04 PM

Check out Longshot Logans site for some good info

................Man I wish he was still with us

, that was one funny dude.

Jefro

Major 2 · May 10, 2010, 06:10:56 PM

While I agree with Bob (St. George) natural wear is the best look...

But it does not answer your question
there are a number products that will strip the blue the trick in to do it jusssssssst enough.

There is Bluing Remover from Birch wood Casey and other ( this is fast and TOO much )
Naval Jelly will strip it and leave a grayish finish, problem here is it stripped and If you wanted to card in some browning for accent
it won't take hold and will be spotty at best.

White Vinegar is the is the answer, it is slow, and if you delute it even slower you can work with it to get just the right amount
of wear.

It takes touch, but not real hard...I like to card some Plum Brown in to get the shadowing.

...
While I was typing JEFRO mentioned the Late Longshot Logan's site ...here it is

http://members.cox.net/longshot_logan/Metal%20Antiquing.htm

RIP Longshot

Driftwood Johnson · May 10, 2010, 10:36:22 PM

QuoteHow do you protect the steel with no bluing?

Oil.

Percussion Pete · May 11, 2010, 11:16:33 AM

Quote from: St. George on May 10, 2010, 05:26:29 PM
The 'original finish' you're referring to is 'missing/worn finish'.

The weapons during the era would've been pretty new - even after the Civil War - they didn't look like guns with over 100 years on them that are seen in catalogs today.

Just 'use' them and let them age naturally and you'll be well-pleased after a season or two.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

Maybe you're right. I should be the one to make it look well worn in.

Thanks.

Percussion Pete · May 11, 2010, 11:17:31 AM

Quote from: Driftwood Johnson on May 10, 2010, 10:36:22 PM
Oil.

Oil and BP aren't the best of friends.

Curley Cole · May 11, 2010, 11:31:57 AM

These came from the factory with the "supposed" original finish. I smoothed them up a bit with some semichrome polish. As for protection, I just keep a thin film of oil on them no trouble.
(they also sorta beat it around,even the grips have some dents and looks like they shrunk a bit...they did a nice job)
curley

Percussion Pete · May 11, 2010, 11:36:49 AM

Not exactly what I had in mind Curley. That looks like it was made that way. Sort of a sandblast look. I was looking for a more uneven look. Like Josey Wales gun.

I'm not sure I can live long enough to do mine naturally.

Forty Rod · May 11, 2010, 12:01:53 PM

Pete, you hit the nail on the head. Guns didn't wear evenly. 'Higher' places got more wear than 'lower' ones. The cylinder flutes wouldn't see as much wear is the rest of the cylinder. The frame would be protected from wear in front of and below and above the cylinder.

A gun carried in a holster wears differently than a gun carried in a pocket or purse, or shoved behind your belt in a waistband.

Put some cheap water soluble paint on a piece of fairly stiff cardboard, just a thin coat, and rub it very gently over the gun. Where the paint hits the metal is where you'd most likely see wear.

You can use vinegar or very dilute naval jelly (or any of a number of other things) to remove the bluing where ever there is paint. Just take off what you want to get the look you want. Most old timers didn't use a gun to death. I've seen some that were carried daily that still looked great after many years, worn but not to excess, and certainly not rusty or dirty or abused.

Go slow! If you think tou should take off just a bit more bluing, I can assure you that you're probably wrong. Let it sit for few days, then look again.

When you're done with that part, degrease the gun and put it someplace dry and bright. Let the sun work on it for a few weeks, and watch constantly for rust.

You may want to touch up some bare spots with cold blue. Follow the directions on the bottle and bring it back up toward the stock blue. This can be wiped on and off to attain the look you want. Same with Plum Brown to give it "age spots and patina". Dilute it and go slow.

The wood stocks or grips can best be 'distressed' by removing any finish and re-staining them a shade or two darker, then just toss them on the floor of your car and drive around with them rattling around for a while. Check them frequently to see they don't get too banged up. When they look right, put a protective coat of oil or Tru Oil on them and you're good to go.

Reassemble the whole thing and shove it in your holster or where evr. In a few weeks or months the metal will darken and your gun will look marvelous.

It's time consuming and that's why I don't do it any more. That, and I don't want my personal guns to look too old.

Good luck.

Percussion Pete · May 11, 2010, 12:08:17 PM

Forty Rod,

Great post. I'm retired and have tons of time on my hands. I'll see what I can come up with.

Thanks.

Major 2 · May 11, 2010, 04:57:19 PM

40rod said it better...

I have distressed guns for years as props....just as a I have added age to Sets I've designed.

9 OClock is my 2nd Gen Colt

Curley Cole · May 11, 2010, 05:05:32 PM

I knew what ya ment. here is what I did with one of mine, I got this gun as a kit. finished it to look old. It looks just like Doc Holidays (see pix)

curley

Percussion Pete · May 12, 2010, 11:44:49 AM

Much better.

Forty Rod · May 12, 2010, 02:36:22 PM

Quote from: Percussion Pete on May 11, 2010, 12:08:17 PM
Forty Rod,

Great post. I'm retired and have tons of time on my hands. I'll see what I can come up with.

Thanks.

You do realize, don't you, that you have commited yourself to posting pictures, both before an after, and maybe some "on the way" shots, too.

Good luck and go slow. It'll be worth the effort.

BTW, old fashioned gas station rough brown paper towels are great for buffing off some places where you just want a teensie bit to come off. They are also great for 'carding' off Plum Brown between coats.

Driftwood Johnson · May 13, 2010, 05:17:59 PM

QuoteOil and BP aren't the best of friends.

Really? I shoot nothing but BP in CAS. I use Ballistol to lube my guns. They get along just fine. Frankly, I have used Rem oil and other regular gun oils on occasion too. Modern oils are only a problem when fouling in the bore reacts with oil in the bore. A little bit of modern oil on the surface of a gun shot with BP will not hurt anything. Trust me on this.