Grip frames

[Quick Fire]

Question:
Can brass grip frames be blued and if so what is the best product to use. Thank you

Quick Fire

[Raven]

There are chemicals that will blacken brass...maybe even look a little blue. But I don't know of any that will match the blueing on steel.

Raven

[Quick Fire]

don't really care if it matches. I switched grip frames on a 60 army with a 51 navy because I prefer the smaller grip but like the 44 stopping power, but I would like the grip frame to be dark instead of brass looking.

[River City John]

Check hobby or train shops. There are chemical blackeners sold to blacken model rail. One brand name was "Blacken-It".

RCJ

p.s. Looked it up. This business is very reputable, and I have dealt with them for many years.
http://www.caboosehobbies.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=&products_id=9616

[Quick Fire]

Thanks River City.

Quick Fire

[Goody]

I used this some years ago on a Jaeger Dakota

http://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey%C2%AE-Brass-Black%C2%99-Metal/dp/B002JCZVOW

[Hoof Hearted]

I used this some years ago on a Jaeger Dakota

http://www.amazon.com/Birchwood-Casey%C2%AE-Brass-Black%C2%99-Metal/dp/B002JCZVOW

Hey Goody, ya ol' rascal!

OP
In order for that "Brass Black" to be effective you will need to remove the grip frame, take out the wood grips, thoroughly degrease (acetone) and then rub really well, everywhere exposed with 3 or 4 aught (000 or 0000) steel wool. You want to smoothly scuff the polished surface so that the chemical has more surface area to react with. And it will stain the hell out of yer fingers!

One of the SAA clones that was sold a few years back had "black" chrome on the brass grip frame.
I provide a silver plating service also.

Regards, HH

[Quick Fire]

HH, sent you a pm

Quick Fire

[Pony Racer]

HH my first SASS pistols were New dakotas with the black coating on the brass.

It really made any engraving work on the strap pop!

PR

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,



If you want a finish that will not be rubbed off quickly, try 'Black Chrome' plating ... and it can be done at any plating shop ... check with friends who own custom cycles or cars  ...

TTFN.

[Quick Fire]

Thanks all for the info.

Quick Fire

[Crow Choker]

Once upon a time I experimented with using bluing chemicals to 'blue' or darken brass. Tried using cold blue on clean, cold degreased brass, preheating the blueing solution on cold and preheated brass, and just room temp solution on preheated brass. The brass was some scraps that seemed/looked to be of the same metal softness/hardness of the brass grip frame of my then Euroarms 51 Navy. Used a propane torch to gently heat the brass and solutions. Used a variety of bluing solutions. Some Caseys brass blacking, Brownell's Oxpho-Blue, Birchwood Casey's cold blue, and some old Herter's stuff that had been sitting on the shelf for a few years, can't remember the name, but it was a good product. In using the different methods, I ended up with a variety of end results. All the way from a dull black matt to semi-shiney black finish and a molted sort of finish that resembled case hardening. I never did do a complete grip frame, although I tried one of the procedures on the bottom of the grip frame on the '51 Navy  (think it was the one of pre-heating the brass (just sort of warm) and applying the blueing. Never did achieve the same bluing color of the barrel/cylinder. I was able to sand and polish the color off. Put doing the whole grip frame on the back burner, maybe sometime may try again. Can't say how it would wear, but it's easy to apply and change results.