Re: MtMan-List: Re: Brass

[CTOAKES@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-04-08 09:59:30 EDT, John Dehne:

<< I'm curious if any of you have a good system for aging brass.  I just got 
 a solid brass celtic pin as a gift and am interested in giving it a more 
 weathered appearance.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. >>

I know that one way antique dealers forge items is to bury them with some
chicken manure for a period of time, they also sometimes substitute human
urine both of which are acidic.  But if it was me I would just use a fine
steel wool on it to make sure it has no protective coatings on it (they sell
better if they are shiney) and then rub it all over with some dirty patches
from a shoot.  Take a look at what that residue has done to your brass powder
measure of the brass tip on your ram rod and the brass on you rifle (that is
if you are not one of those who use brasso on everything).  Good old
blackpowder residue ages brass nicely.