Plum Brown Vs Rust Browning

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

I have not a clue as to the finish of this Pistol ... I am told all Lyman pistols are blued from the factory ... but this one looks brown.

The problem is that I have removed the 'Belt Hook' (#16) and replaced it with the metal colored "Lock Screw Bushing' (#17)

I would like to stain/die the lock screw bushing to match the rest of the gun .....

Any thoughts?



http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIREARMS/lyman_blackpowder.pdf    Look at page 34....

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

WWE; I'd say suit your fancy.  Either one would be as historical as the other.  If it were mine, but I already have my own, I'd opt for brown.  Only downer might be that browning requires more repeated applications.  But time isn't always money when you do it yourself.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Sir Charles,

I just went on the DGW  website: I will be picking up the small bottle about 1 Msr.... for the small parts that I need to doI think the small bottle should work ... at $10 /bottle, i t is definitely within my budget ... *S*

TTFN

I also understand I will need a propane blowtorch an a couple of bottles of propane ...

TTFN,

[Tascosa Joe]

The last time I tried this which was a while back, a small bottle browned and entire flint lock rifle and had some left over.
Joe

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Tascosa Joe,

Great! 

TTFN,

[pony express]

probably won't need that much propane either. If you have a gas stove in your kitchen, that might work for such a small part.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Pony Express,

It will probably take a week for DGW to get the stuff out here to the left coast .... so I have time to pick one up ... and a propane torch is something that I have always meant to get ...

TTFN,

[Jamestown John]

I have the burner. One tank of propane is more than enough!
Let's do it!
JJ

[WaddWatsonEllis]

HI,

I think i am going to try and heat it up on my BBQ (it sould take the heat).

Normally I would go to a surplus shop and buy about a square foot of Asbestos .... but since that is a no-no, does anyone have some suggestions?

TTFN,

[Professor Marvel]

Greetings My Good Wad -
the bbq should be plenty of heat, you only need to get it hot enough for a little "sizzle" - ie ~ 200-220 deg; you are not trying to heat treat or draw the temper!

WhyForPrayTell would you require asbestos? the browing process is essentially heat-and-chemical enhanced speed-rust.  One is merely trying heat up the barrel , thus yours truly wonders whatever art thou trying to shield from the heat?

yhs
prof (brown) marvel

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Professore,

My grill is old, greasy and has half inch gaps between the bars ... the right size for a burger but  not for a half inch part ... so I figured a one foot by on e foot piece of asbestos would kill two birds with one stone ... give the part a clean place to sit and keep the 1/2" piece ... perhaps a piece of 1/4"Boilerplate?

[Forty Rod]

I used Plum Brown and heated a Great Plains rifle barrel by running hot tap water through it.  I wiped the Plum Brown on with a clean cotton cloth.  Took about five applications with "carding" (Using brown industrial paper towels) and re-degreasing after each one.  Oiled it after the last one and re-oiled about four times, two days apart.  It comes out nearly black when done. That was in 1979 and it still looks great.

Did all the other metal on that gun and a few others since with the same results.

You don't need too much equipment and it is possible to "over think" the whole thing.

Note: be certain you have completely and thoroughly degreased the metal.  A thumbprint can find you cussing up a storm as you start all over from scratch.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi Forty Rod.

Thanks for the warning about prints ... I will be sure to use my nitrile gloves when I do it ...