How to age bare metal

[butlersrangers]

The case hardened Krag receiver, side-plate and magazine-gate, can get rather 'silvery' from wear. The case-hardened Krag metal never had the vibrant colors we now associate with case-hardening.

attached photos show a model 1899 carbine with a worn finish, an armory refinished 1892/1896 Krag, and a presentation model 1899 carbine made for General Frederick Grant.