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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,604
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,604 |
Ladies and gentlemen – what tips do you have for cleaning the EXTERIOR of your brown bess to keep it looking new or return it to its best appearance. Try as I might my brass and steel just look like exactly what they are – well used. I have not used any abrassives – only hot water, oil and soft cloths to date. If anyone is willing to share their best cleaning techniques, I would be happy to hear them!
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37, verse 4.
"The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt." Proverbs 12:27
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,251
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,251 |
polish the brass and steel. If the steel is blued or browned, remove it and apply a new finish to it. You can only do so much cleaning of trim before you will have to polish it with some kind of polishing compound.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 23,453 |
Does it function well? If so, I'd leave it as well used and keep on using it.
America needs to understand that our troops are not 'disposable'. Each represents a family; Fathers, Mothers, Sons, Daughters, Cousins, Uncles, Aunts... Our Citizens are our most valuable treasure; we waste far too many.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,752
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 28,752 |
The originals were left bright, as far as I know, and the "Brown" was the natural patina from the rust being polished off. For me, the best look would be what you have now, assuming there's no pitting.
If you want the brand new shiny look, get some brass polish and try some Simichrome or a similar product for the steel. I wouldn't do it, but it ain't my gun.
What fresh Hell is this?
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,083
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 23,083 |
I was a re-ennactor for a bunch of years (Black Watch Highlander) and carried a Pedersoli Bess. The only maintenance I did to the steel parts was to try to stay ahead of the rust with ultra-fine 3M Scotchbrite pads and/or 0000 steel wool. The barrel and lock eventually took on a kind of polished semi-bright patina that was pleasing to my eye. The brass I didn't touch with polish or abrasives. I preferred the soft luster of well handled brass. Since I portrayed a campaigning soldier I didn't want a showroom perfect musket.
One of my buddies carried things to an extreme. He insisted on using finely ground brick dust on a rag to polish with (as per period recommendations), and utilized animal lard from the skillet as a "rust preventive". (No salt in cooking grease, d'oh!!) We labeled his gun "the 'Rus(t)ket'" instead of "musket".
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,604
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,604 |
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37, verse 4.
"The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt." Proverbs 12:27
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