hide the brass

[Able Wood]

howdy,   anyone got any ideas on covering brass?   i want to blacken up the brass trigger guard and back stap on my pietta.  i used B-C  brass-black and it looked great allmost like blueing.  but it rubs off to easy. realy dont want to paint, but............           any ideas?

[Ramble N Tom]

Several years ago, black chrome was available.  Don't know if anyone still does it or not......

[Ramble N Tom]

Should have looked before I posted the first message.   My apologies.. You might want to check this out... http://www.techplate.com/firearms.htm     Usual disclaimers apply...  I'm not associated with this company.. In fact have never done business with them..  but I always thought black chrome was pretty neat...

[dangerranger]

As far as plating goes, nickel plating the whole gun may be the answer!

[Able Wood]

thanks everyone for the ideas. plateing would look great but a little more than i want to spend. i can get a blued strap and guard from Taylors comp. but i was kinda looking for a do it my self job. keep the ideas coming.    thanks  Able.

[St. George]

The percussion Army Colt had a brass backstrap and triggerguard initially - and as time and experience followed - the backstrap was replaced by iron.

Often - especially on the Models os 1849 and 1851 - they were silver-plated.

That said - are you looking to completely 'blacken' those pieces - permanently - or will some dull brass showing through be acceptable?

If it is - then you can do it with 'Liver of Sulfate' - a particularly noxious-smelling chemical available at some jewelry supply or rock shops.

It will work like the Birchwood-Casey's 'Brass Black' you tried - but it's a lot more 'tenacious' when it's properly applied and re-applied.

No doubt there are other solutions out there - but if your metal's clean - and warm-to-hot - and you can hold your breath against the onslaught of the rotten-egg scent - then I can guarantee that this stuff will blacken your brass.

If you do it right - and buff it a bit the resultant dullness between re-applications - you can bring your now-blue/black finish up to almost mirror-brightness.

Lightly oil when done and assemble.

Do NOT store this near steel or near your tools - the fumes will cause rust at a rate that'll astound you...

Good Luck,

Scouts Out!