Blueing Just A Hammer

[Kidd AtHeart SASS # 74179]

I posted this a while back:

 

I have a pair of 1858 Remington 44 Cal New Army pistols. As my hands are not exactly large, I would like to modify the hammers to be more like the Blackhawk hammers that a lot of people are using. This would involve cutting the hammer spur enough to bend it to match the Blackhawk angle, then TIG welding/smoothing.   
Per the SASS Handbook, Blackhawk “style” hammers are acceptable. 
 

Well my grandson did a great job cutting, bending, and Tig  welding/filling the gap. Turned out great, and, of course they match. 

The question is …. To get that antiqued patina look, should I heat and oil dip the end of the hammer, or use cold bluing ?  If the consensus is oil dip, clean or used oil ?
TUIA. 
 

Kidd AtHeart

 

[Garrison Joe, SASS #60708]

I like Brownell's OxphoBlue cold blue for just one small part.  Here's how I have done an aged finish.

 

Prep and clean part.   Apply OxphoBlue following instructions.  I like to heat the part right after application with a propane torch to where the solution just bubbles a little.  Seems to make the blue penetrate and be more permanent.  Bronze wool to rub off the rusty looking residue.  Reapply for total of 3 coats to get it uniform.

 

Normally one would apply a good gun oil at this point to seal the new bluing.   But, if you want some patina, heat a little bit of vinegar (cooking vinegar works fine) to just short of boiling and apply a coat to the new blue.  Rinse off within 5 seconds.  Should give you the aged look after oiling.  If not, repeat with longer application.

 

If the vinegar treatment pulls off too much bluing, then I use some barrel Browning solution (a little harder to find, but I think Brownells and Midway carry some) to just darken and brown up the cold blue color.  Sometimes called Plum Browning.

 

good luck, GJ

Edited August 25 by Garrison Joe, SASS #60708

[Kidd AtHeart SASS # 74179]

Thank you very much. I picked up some bluing this afternoon. I like the vinegar trick. 
Again , Thank You 🤠

[Reverend P. Babcock Chase]

Howdy Kids,

 

I have completely stripped all the bluing of a gun with vinegar. I would trust Garrison Joe' suggestions, but would add one thought: Think of how the hammer is used and where it might get worn. That would be where the thumb works the hammer and may be the sharper edges. Also consider that the firing would likely affect area around the part of the hammer that strikes the cap and gets some fouling. you might apply a little more vinegar in those areas to simulate wear. Just a thought.

 

Rev. Chase

[Kid Rich]

If you decide to do it the old timey way with heat use single viscosity motor oil. Not synthetic oil.

kR

[Bailey Creek,5759]

I would like to see pictures.