Ageing a 1866

[Fox Creek Kid]

Although the polyurethane finish is not period correct, the red color is as almost all gunmakers used alkanet root in their linseed oil to depart a reddish lustre.  

The best way to age brass quickly is to mix real BP with some rubbing alcohol into a paste. Apply to the brass parts and let sit until dry and then wipe off. Needless to say, do NOT do this near open flames.  

[Professor Marvel]

Although the polyurethane finish is not period correct, the red color is as almost all gunmakers used alkanet root in their linseed oil to depart a reddish lustre. 

Is this perchance the same (or similar) finish that is used on violins?
yhs
prof marvel

[Delmonico]

Is this perchance the same (or similar) finish that is used on violins?
yhs
prof marvel

No, good violin finish is several layers of different kinds of varnish.

BTW many of the old guns did use varnish and not linseed oil.  Varnish was quicker to dry, like Henry Ford's black laquer on Model T's.