antiquing a rabbit ear coach gun

gasmandave · January 12, 2012, 12:23 PM

Hello, new to this forum, looking to antique a double coach gun. Saw an article on "gunblast" for antiquing a SA pistol, but what would be an easy way to do a double shotgun?

Rifleman1776 · January 12, 2012, 02:06 PM

What exactly do you want to do?
For the brass, when using real black powder, I just wipe dirty cleaning patches on the brass. It doesn't take long to get 'antiqued'. For the wood you might have to strip and refinish. If you won't tell anyone

my "secret" finish for making guns look antique is Kiwi brown paste shoe polish.

gasmandave · January 12, 2012, 07:44 PM

No, how do you take some of the bluing off to give it that aged look?
But I'll keep the brown shoe polish in mind for the wood.

Pahoo · January 13, 2012, 12:58 PM

Delete

Pahoo · January 13, 2012, 01:00 PM

There are a number of ways to remove bluing but I'm sure you would want to control the areas of removal and feather it. That would replicate normal wear. Not too far back, there was a post in here where a fella wrapped a rag around a barrel and applied vinegar. Gave it a tie-die look and did remove the bluing. I'm not suggesting this procedure, just pointing out that you can use vinegar.
Do a historical search in here to read how he did this. ....

As far as brass, again there are a number of ways. I routinely refurbish ramrods and on the brass tips, I rough finish with scotch brights and apply regular bluing. It turns brown, instantly. Will wear off but hold until a natural oxidation can take root. ....

Be Safe !!!

gasmandave · January 13, 2012, 03:08 PM

Found a post about using vinegar to remove bluing.

Post #7 by Universalfrost dated Aug, 10, 2010.

I've heard of this idea before, I think I'll try it and see how it works.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...hlight=vinegar

Pahoo · January 13, 2012, 04:29 PM

Delete This duplicate

Pahoo · January 13, 2012, 04:31 PM

GasMan,
The one I'm refering to is the fellow who wrapped his barrel with rags, then soaked them with vinegar and let it sit a spell. Posted pictures showing the pattern that was left. At any rate, you now know about vinegar. ....

I think I would identify the areas that would normally show wear after a time and work them manually with an abrasive. Post some pictures when you are done. ....

Be Safe !!!

Hawg · January 13, 2012, 06:32 PM

Wrapping the barrel with rags and soaking with vinegar gives a look almost like damascus.

pvt.Long · January 16, 2012, 12:44 AM

Why speed up a natural process? The best way is to use it. Brass will naturally discolor and the bluing will naturally wear off if you shoot and clean the weapon.

January 12, 2012, 12:23 PM	#1
gasmandave Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 223	antiquing a rabbit ear coach gun Hello, new to this forum, looking to antique a double coach gun. Saw an article on "gunblast" for antiquing a SA pistol, but what would be an easy way to do a double shotgun?

January 12, 2012, 07:44 PM	#3
gasmandave Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 223	aging No, how do you take some of the bluing off to give it that aged look? But I'll keep the brown shoe polish in mind for the wood.

January 13, 2012, 12:58 PM	#4
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	delete Delete __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 13, 2012, 01:00 PM	#5
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	More than on way to skin this cat. There are a number of ways to remove bluing but I'm sure you would want to control the areas of removal and feather it. That would replicate normal wear. Not too far back, there was a post in here where a fella wrapped a rag around a barrel and applied vinegar. Gave it a tie-die look and did remove the bluing. I'm not suggesting this procedure, just pointing out that you can use vinegar. Do a historical search in here to read how he did this. .... As far as brass, again there are a number of ways. I routinely refurbish ramrods and on the brass tips, I rough finish with scotch brights and apply regular bluing. It turns brown, instantly. Will wear off but hold until a natural oxidation can take root. .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 13, 2012, 03:08 PM	#6
gasmandave Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2012 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 223	Found a post about using vinegar Found a post about using vinegar to remove bluing. Post #7 by Universalfrost dated Aug, 10, 2010. I've heard of this idea before, I think I'll try it and see how it works. http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...hlight=vinegar

January 12, 2012, 02:06 PM	#2
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	What exactly do you want to do? For the brass, when using real black powder, I just wipe dirty cleaning patches on the brass. It doesn't take long to get 'antiqued'. For the wood you might have to strip and refinish. If you won't tell anyone my "secret" finish for making guns look antique is Kiwi brown paste shoe polish.

January 13, 2012, 04:29 PM	#7
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Delete This duplicate Delete This duplicate __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 13, 2012, 04:31 PM	#8
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Keep searching GasMan, The one I'm refering to is the fellow who wrapped his barrel with rags, then soaked them with vinegar and let it sit a spell. Posted pictures showing the pattern that was left. At any rate, you now know about vinegar. .... I think I would identify the areas that would normally show wear after a time and work them manually with an abrasive. Post some pictures when you are done. .... Be Safe !!! __________________ 'Fundamental truths' are easy to recognize because they are verified daily through simple observation and thus, require no testing.

January 13, 2012, 06:32 PM	#9
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Wrapping the barrel with rags and soaking with vinegar gives a look almost like damascus.

January 16, 2012, 12:44 AM	#10
pvt.Long Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2009 Posts: 433	Why speed up a natural process? The best way is to use it. Brass will naturally discolor and the bluing will naturally wear off if you shoot and clean the weapon.