Colored cases

[Everett]

Dan wrote:
# I remember seeing a mention of formulas for 'color coding' brass
# cases in an old gun rag. It may be possible to dye brass cases
# red, green or other colors for ease of identification. Has anyone
# tried this process? Does it effect case life? Any info/formulas
# would be appreciated.

Many years ago I copied several pages of "The Modern Gunsmith" (a very
old book) about coloring brass cases. There are about a dozen colors or
shades of colors listed. Here are a few of them. I have not tried any
of them and have no idea if they work or what effect they have on case
life. Some of the chemicals named may have different names today.
Maybe a chemist can help here.

Orange: Immerse the cases in a solution of 5 parts caustic soda (by
weight): 50 parts distilled water: 10 parts copper carbonate. The
longer it stays in the solution, the deeper the color. Wash well and
dry after coloring.

Golden: Immerse them in a solution of 2 parts of potassium nitrate (by
weight): 1 part non-iodized salt: 1 part alum: 24 parts distilled
water: 1 part hydrochloric acid.

Light Blue: Immerse them in a solution of 1 oz antimony chlorid: 20
oz. distilled water: 3 oz. hydrochloric acid.

MISCELLANEOUS: Disolve 4 oz sodium hyposulfite in 960cc of distilled
water. Dissolve 1 oz sugar of lead (?) in another 960cc of distilled
water. Mix the two and heat to 175 degrees F. then dip the cases in the
solution. Depending on the length of time they are immersed the color
will be first golden yellow, then turning to violet, then blue, then
green. Rinse well and dray at the color you want.

Antique Green: 3 oz. crystallized chlorid of iron: 1 lb. ammonia
chlorid: 8 oz. verdigris: 10 oz. non-iodized salt: 4 oz. potassium
bitartrate: 1 gal. distilled water.

Black: 8 oz. sugar of lead: 8 oz. hyposulfite of soda: 1 gal.
distilled water.

[Rich Pierson]

Everett wrote:
#
# MISCELLANEOUS: Disolve 4 oz sodium hyposulfite in 960cc of distilled
# water. Dissolve 1 oz sugar of lead (?) in another 960cc of distilled
# water. Mix the two and heat to 175 degrees F. then dip the cases in the
# solution. Depending on the length of time they are immersed the color
# will be first golden yellow, then turning to violet, then blue, then
# green. Rinse well and dray at the color you want.
#
# Antique Green: 3 oz. crystallized chlorid of iron: 1 lb. ammonia
# chlorid: 8 oz. verdigris: 10 oz. non-iodized salt: 4 oz. potassium
# bitartrate: 1 gal. distilled water.
#
# Black: 8 oz. sugar of lead: 8 oz. hyposulfite of soda: 1 gal.
# distilled water.

Where do you buy chemicals like that. In all my
travels I have never seen a store that sells
chemicals [other than 50 gallon drums].

--
*************************************************
Richard J. Pierson
fi...@ptd.net
My opinions are my own as are my mistakes...
*************************************************

[Everett]

Rich Pierson wrote:
#

# Everett wrote:
# >
# > MISCELLANEOUS: Disolve 4 oz sodium hyposulfite in 960cc

# > of distilled water. Dissolve 1 oz sugar of lead (?) in
# > another 960cc of distilled water. Mix the two and heat to
# > 175 degrees F. then dip the cases in the solution. Depending
# > on the length of time they are immersed the color will be first
# > golden yellow, then turning to violet, then blue, then green.
# > Rinse well and dry at the color you want.
#
# Where do you buy chemicals like that. In all my
# travels I have never seen a store that sells
# chemicals [other than 50 gallon drums].
#
How far have you traveled? Like I said in the original post, I have
never done this myself so I have no first hand experience in buying
these chemicals. However, I don't believe that they are unobtainable.
You may have to open the yellow pages and make a few phone calls,
though. I doubt anyone who carries these type of chemicals will
advertise on the radio during rush hour. How about a hobby shop that
sells chemistry sets? The local one here also sells separate bottles of
chemicals to replace those used in the kit. Before I tried, though, I
would go to the Library and find out what the current names for these
chemicals are. I have never heard of "sugar of lead", but it was used
several times in the chapter. Also, the "rec.pyrotechnics" newsgroup
periodically lists catalogs where all kinds of chemicals can be bought
in small quantities. A general web search should turn up something.
Not everyone buys in 50 gallon drums like Lucent Technologies. If you
are interested in doing this, put some effort into it. If not, don't
bother me.

[Christopher Lollini]

Rich Pierson wrote:
#
# Everett wrote:

# Where do you buy chemicals like that. In all my
# travels I have never seen a store that sells
# chemicals [other than 50 gallon drums].
#

# --

You might try searching for a glass blowing supply store. My buddy who
is a Master of Fine Arts specialized in casting glass. As I recall, he
used an incredibly wide variety of different chemicals to not only color
his glass, but to also patina, antique, and generally manipulate the
color of the various metals used in his sculpture. Start by finding some
good fine arts people...just don't tell them what you're up to...they'll
probably flip out.

Christopher