Not in our time period but....

[Bull Schmitt]

Does anyone know how the Civil War muskets that were "in the white" were polished at the arsenals? What process was used? What abrasive was used?  What was issued to the troops to keep the metal bright?

Col Bull

[Niederlander]

I don't know how they polished them at the factory (although I would suspect emery cloth and buffing wheels), but I remember reading they used pieces of charred wood to polish them in the field.  I think I read that in one of Wiley's books.

[River City John]

Bayonets also polished with wood ash to stay bright.

RCJ

[pony express]

A little different topic, but I remember reading an account by a US Volunteer on his way to the Philippines , they were issued some "not too pretty" Trapdoors, for inspection before shipping out they used lead pencils to "shine up" the dull or rusted spots on them, hoping that , if the officer inpsecting them handled any, they wouldn't touch the pencil spots with their white gloves!

[cpt dan blodgett]

During WWII and after when he would wear them on veterans or memorial day parades my dad shined his wings with cigarette ash.

[Capt. Montgomery Little]

Another question along this line, to ponder.  Why would anyone want a firearm so shiney that it would give away your position to the enemy even if they were a  mile away?   Make it black and move only at night.  Been there, done that, it works like a charm. A .22 short in the butt while walking along a dark trail will also cause all kinds of consternation (and maybe some constipation also).

[cpt dan blodgett]

Given the tactics of the day, shoulder to shoulder fire close fire ->bayonet charge.  Perhaps the sun glinting of bayonets and Rifles would cause fear and panic in the ranks of defenders.