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I just got an 1871 Gras. What I find strange is its brassy/gold finish on the metal. It is missing in places, but where it isn't worn, for example the underside of the barrel, it is all brassy. This also includes the bolt. Can anyone tell me what I have?
Could be a good coating of petrified oil. (My usual experience.) Or somebody plated it!
It may have been plated. I have some pics, but I can't figure out how to post them.
I don't know how it was done, but I have a very old percussion shotgun of uncertain origin, and it also has this brass effect on the very obviously hand-made lock. I think we need a metallurgist...
Just a guess... as my example is what one would generically term "Khyber Pass Special" from the 19th century, is can hardly have been created by modern powder coating or deposition techniques. However, it may have been achieved by painting the iron /steel parts with a brass paint (i.e. brass dust suspended in a lacquer) and then heating to bright red heat to fuse the brass to the steel. Something similar to the (very hazardous) 18th-19th C. ormolu technique for gilding.
That's all I can think of.:dunno: Any other suggestions...?
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Here are some pics
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I would have to guess that it's plated. Probably for parade use. I have a US M1866 that was shortened, had the hammer spur bobbed, and had all the metal nickel plated. The best part was the stock was painted purple!