Antiquing a SAA Revolver

In this tutorial I have taken a Great Western II Californian 45 Colt and can be applied antiquing with two methods. In the first part you can get a clean blue free gun that has the appearance of being old. The advantage to this first method it the amount of time spent on the project (about two-three hours) and being able to keep the gun rust free. The disadvantages are the gun still really is shiny and has no age character.  

The second method is more involved but results in a gun that really has a antique look. I don't beat the metal or let it pit so in reality it could be re-blued at a later time and would look new again.

  This project is fairly simple, as you really can’t mess up. If you antique too much work off the rust with 0000 Steel wool and WD-40. Be sure to try and keep the cylinder and bore clean during this operation. Also take care to keep the inside areas of the frame free from rust.

  In this tutorial be aware that the chemical used can cause injury if you aren’t careful. Follow all the directions on the labels.

  I do antiquing of modern firearms often and have it pretty much down. If you want your gun antiqued but don’t have the skill, patients or place to perform the work try and find someone locally who will do the work as I do not have a FFL.

On each section I have a small thumbnail picture of the stage of the project. Click on these thumbnails to see a larger detailed picture.

I use Vinegar as a blue remover for the following reasons. It does a relatively quick job of removing the blue for a tiny fraction of Blue and rust remover costs and is safe to use. You can supplement ingredients I have listed if you like.  You just need to get the end goal. 

The items I used in this project are as follows.

First Method.

1 Gallon of common cheap white vinegar.

WD-40

Birtchwood Casey Degreaser

0000 Steel Wool

Plastic or Glass Tray

Second Method

1 Gallon of common cheap white vinegar.

WD-40

Birtchwood Casey Degreaser

Birtchwood Casey Perma Blue

Birtchwood Casey Plumb Browning

0000 Steel Wool

Plastic or Glass Tray

Small bristle brush

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