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March 21, 2011
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Does anyone know what it is that is sprayed on to give worn, missing & silvered guns this color? It was obviously sprayed since it’s on the magazine tube at the loading port. I’m wondering about removing the “brown 
coating” to give the gun it’s original worn look.
Darrin
November 7, 2015
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I’ve used Birchwood Casey Plum Brown to color white steel on muzzle loader kits. I don’t think it would work as well as what your pics show. Good catch.
Mike
May 2, 2009
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Does it scrape off with a finger nail or is it a rust?
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 21, 2011
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It doesn’t scrape off, Bob. Reminds me of shellac. I honestly have not made any real attempt at removal but thought about trying something on the magazine since it’s so obvious. Thanks.
Darrin
March 21, 2011
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TXGunNut said
I’ve used Birchwood Casey Plum Brown to color white steel on muzzle loader kits. I don’t think it would work as well as what your pics show. Good catch.
Mike
Thanks Mike, I have a weakness for early serials & I couldn’t leave #1643 at Tulsa. Actually the lighting at the show made the appearance way less noticeable than natural light.
Darrin
April 15, 2005
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Darrin Smith said
It doesn’t scrape off, Bob. Reminds me of shellac. I honestly have not made any real attempt at removal but thought about trying something on the magazine since it’s so obvious. Thanks.Darrin
Try wiping it with some acetone… if it was sprayed on (or applied) the magazine tube, the acetone will dissolve it quickly.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 1, 2013
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Darrin Smith said
It doesn’t scrape off, Bob. Reminds me of shellac. I honestly have not made any real attempt at removal but thought about trying something on the magazine since it’s so obvious. Thanks.Darrin
I’ve actually heard of shellac & varnish being used on steel to prevent rust, & both will turn brown over time. Methyl alcohol dissolves shellac.
March 21, 2011
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Thank you gentlemen,
I will try it on mag tube but I think I’ll leave the rest alone for now for fear of stripping it to white.
Darrin
June 4, 2017
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Darrin,
At Tulsa only half the lights are turned on setup day. Saturday and Sunday all lights are on but it’s hard to evaluate blue. You have to use a bright LED light. In my case I carry 3.00 cheaters and have an Opti-visor under my table. With the bright light you can quickly scan a gun and see cold blue spots and reblues. The lights a must.
The black art of smooze is everywhere but don’t throw out the baby with the bath water. Screws can be fixed or changed, sight can be replaced, but when the gun has been turned shiny it will never have an original finish again. T/R
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