browning a flintlock

[Joe Miller]

I'm new and this is my first build. What is the bets way to brown the metal I have the gun put together and it works. I would also like to know how to oil the wood/? 

[R I Jerolmon]

I've had real good luck with Laurel Mountain Forge browning from Track of the Wolf. They also have several stock finish products. You can find them on line or send for their catalog (great wishbook).

[Red Badger]

Joe - I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions here,  I would suggest you look at some of the older posts to see what we have recommended in the past.  I have not browned a barrel yet but others have.

- LET Me remind the wiseguys... Be Nice - we want Joe and R. I. and all the new members to stick around so lets have CONSTRUCTIVE comments until they get used to the way we usually roll...   

[Dogshirt]

Joe - I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions here,  I would suggest you look at some of the older posts to see what we have recommended in the past.  I have not browned a barrel yet but others have.

- LET Me remind the wiseguys... Be Nice - we want Joe and R. I. and all the new members to stick around so lets have CONSTRUCTIVE comments until they get used to the way we usually roll...   

Who? US? 

[Joe Miller]

thanks I will look it all up

[hotfxr]

When you are looking at the old posts, you will find that some of us get rather defensive about our choices of products. Just ignore us and our tantrums. There are several ways to approach finishes and most of them are going to work. Keep in mind that different browning/bluing (and oiling) solutions may not work the same in different parts of the country and during different seasons. After exploring different methods feel free to ask specific product questions, we will gladly chime in with our opinions and help you out to the best of our abilities. Oh yeah, have fun doing it.

[Joe Miller]

Thank you I will be looking around too see what I can find and I know how some people can be it doesn't bother me. I will have fun at what I'm doing.

[Dogshirt]

I haven't browned anything but a hawk head. After reading and studying I found that it takes a certain amount of humidity to
for it to work properly, something we don't have much of here. The hawk head I did in the bathroom with hot water in the tub,
but the wife isn't going to let me tie the bathroom up for days doing a rifle barrel. I need to build a "humidity locker" and just haven't gotten around to it.

[Dogshirt]

Forgot to mention, remove ALL parts such as sights, tennons, etc, or they will become PERMENENT. I go to the Dollar store and buy cheap fingernail polish and paint the dovetails and threads when I blue. Buy a really obnoxious color that is easy to see. Then you can clean up any that gets where it's not wanted. After you are done with your process it is easily removed with nail polish remover. Browning is RUSTING so you want to keep those areas safe.

[Patocazador]

Browning is RUSTING so you want to keep those areas safe.

Correct.

Basically, browning is hot bluing without the heat. When doing hot bluing, you first 'brown' the piece then subject it to almost boiling water for a period of time.

[Hanshi]

There are too many ways to brown, blue, etc, a barrel to discuss each one.  There are vinegar finishes, cold blue and many others; they each can be made to produce some pretty unique "colors".  If you need specific info on these, we're here for you.  Welcome.

[Hanshi]

Joe - I am sure you will get plenty of suggestions here,  I would suggest you look at some of the older posts to see what we have recommended in the past.  I have not browned a barrel yet but others have.

- LET Me remind the wiseguys... Be Nice - we want Joe and R. I. and all the new members to stick around so lets have CONSTRUCTIVE comments until they get used to the way we usually roll...   

It seems that you Your Esteemed Potentate, O toothy/bitey/furred Leader and Lord High Moral Guide and Benefactor have besmirched our good name, uuuhh...good reputations; well then we were simply "dissed".  But it hurts  .  We are always nice and stay busy cleaning the rust out of our barrels.  I think we are Saintly and...and...mellow.  May all your flints chip and crack.....sir. 

[Joe Miller]

thanks for all the info a lot to think about 

[russell shaffer]

I did a Thompson Center Hawken kit at least 30 years ago with Birchwood Casey Plum Brown.  It still looks good to me.  I followed the instructions on the bottle and it wasn't hard but took a while.  I just checked and it is still available.

[Patocazador]

I did a Thompson Center Hawken kit at least 30 years ago with Birchwood Casey Plum Brown.  It still looks good to me.

I heard several people say good things about BC Plum Brown.