Black powder rifle kits - The Firearms Forum

ShawnDow · 12-02-2012, 06:47 PM

Thinking of making a "kit" muzzle loader....

What were the "original" finish on the old Pennsylvania black powder muzzle loaders? I some how don't think they had Hot Salts Bluing back then... So would it be Rust Brown/ Bluing? Also... the "furniture" on the old muzzle loaders... Brass... or Steel? I figured brass... cheaper? and easier to form / shape?

Thanks for any info,
Shawn

Hawg · 12-02-2012, 07:02 PM

Rust browning on the steel. Pennsylvania rifles did have brass furniture for the most part but many rifle makers used iron furniture.

Shooter45 · 12-02-2012, 07:03 PM

Go to www.trackofthewolf.com

They have all kinds of kits and everything else you need to complete the project.

Jim K · 12-02-2012, 07:46 PM

The originals generally had blued barrels and lockplates, with brass trigger guards, patch box covers and sideplates, and lock sideplates (on the other side of the stock). In some fancier guns, those parts were silver plated or of German silver.

The stocks were usually maple and the screws were iron, not brass. (As one old time rifle maker asked me when I asked why iron and not brass, "Did you ever try to drive a brass screw into rock maple?")

Some barrels were colored brown or plum.

Jim

todd51 · 12-02-2012, 08:00 PM

I had good luck with Birchwood Casey's Plum Brown on the iron hardware and barrel.

http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod24772.aspx

12-02-2012, 06:47 PM	#1
ShawnDow V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tawas City, Michigan Posts: 394	Black powder rifle kits Thinking of making a "kit" muzzle loader.... What were the "original" finish on the old Pennsylvania black powder muzzle loaders? I some how don't think they had Hot Salts Bluing back then... So would it be Rust Brown/ Bluing? Also... the "furniture" on the old muzzle loaders... Brass... or Steel? I figured brass... cheaper? and easier to form / shape? Thanks for any info, Shawn __________________ You can't prevent the inevitable.. only alter its time span! -->

12-02-2012, 07:02 PM	#2
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,557	Re: Black powder rifle kits Rust browning on the steel. Pennsylvania rifles did have brass furniture for the most part but many rifle makers used iron furniture.

12-02-2012, 07:03 PM	#3
Shooter45 Administrator Join Date: Feb 2001 Contributor Posts: 8,752	Re: Black powder rifle kits Go to www.trackofthewolf.com They have all kinds of kits and everything else you need to complete the project.

12-02-2012, 07:46 PM	#4
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: Black powder rifle kits The originals generally had blued barrels and lockplates, with brass trigger guards, patch box covers and sideplates, and lock sideplates (on the other side of the stock). In some fancier guns, those parts were silver plated or of German silver. The stocks were usually maple and the screws were iron, not brass. (As one old time rifle maker asked me when I asked why iron and not brass, "Did you ever try to drive a brass screw into rock maple?") Some barrels were colored brown or plum. Jim

12-02-2012, 08:00 PM	#5
todd51 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central, Ohio Contributor Posts: 2,572	Re: Black powder rifle kits I had good luck with Birchwood Casey's Plum Brown on the iron hardware and barrel. http://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-to...prod24772.aspx __________________ Retired Praefectus Vigilum NRA Endowment Member