Firearm Blueing And Browning (Stackpole Classic Gun Books)
Tanesha Prately
A. I was researching nitre for a friend and found a reference at www.kramers.org/chemical.htm that lists it as nitre of potash. There are many more references in the search that I did, but I settled for that one.
A. A book entitled Firearm Blueing and Browning [oneBay , Amazon, AbeBooks (adv.)] by R. H. Angier, published by Stackpole Books, London, 1936, p.41 lists "spirit of nitre" as a dilute (1-5%) solution of ethyl nitrite in ethanol.
Q. Does anyone have any old rust blue formulas I am trying to find one that produces a nice even yellow coloured rust on gun barrels. I am trying to obtain a deep ebony black, some of Angier's are good but they have very little in the way of working instructions?
What can be used as a substitute for corrosive sublimate other than hydrochloric acid in a rusting formula. How can I make sweet spirit of nitre I believe it is ethyl nitrite and alcohol, is there a certain way to mix this?
Q. I've come across a copy of Gun Digest 29th Anniversary 1975 Deluxe Edition [onon Amazon (adv.)]. In chapter 38: Forgotten Firearm Formulae, there is a formula for blueing of firearm, it runs; The principle of 'browning' a firearm is simply the even rusting of a barrel with the use of certain chemicals. One of the best of these old time processes is to make a solution of three quarter ounce of spirits of nitrate; an equal amount of tincture of steel; one quarter ounce of black brimstone (crude sulfur), one half ounce of blue vitriol, one quarter ounce of nitric acid and a quarter ounce of corrosive sublime, one drachm of nitric acid and a quarter ounce of copperas. Mix these with a pint of distilled water in a glass bottle (keeping it away from your good tools) and it is then ready to use.
The terminology used in this formula is old time and the chemicals required are having different current names. I shall be grateful for the current names for;
1. Spirits of nitre
2. Tincture of Steel
3. Blue Vitriol
4. Corrosive sublime.
If these above chemicals are mixture of some basic chemicals then how these can be prepared at home. Please help me in preparing the solution for blueing of firearms.
Thanks.
Q. Sir,
I am really grateful for the answer to my question. Please tell me how I can prepare IRON CHLORIDE SOLUTION. I am a hobbyist and have an antique rusty air rifle, which I would like to restore. So I shall be thankful for the guidance regarding blueing of firearms. I can take care of the mechanical part of my air rifle.
Once again I thank you.
Q. Does anyone know of working instructions for the formula in Angiers' Firearms Blueing and Browning.
page 85 c13 browne of swiss federal armoury. Any suggestions on a good mix as it suggested you can leave out sweet spirit of nitre?
A. Spirit of nitre ether is an alcoholic solution of ethyl nitrate containing 3.5 to 4.5% ethyl nitrate.
According to The Merck Index [onon Amazon (adv.)] 6th edition, it is pale yellow or faintly greenish yellow clear, mobile, volatile, flammable liquid. It has a pungent odor and burning taste. The ethyl nitrate decomposes on exposure to air and light.
I think it forms an acid as it decomposes.
To make it, take nitric acid and warm it with a water bath. A 2 to 3 foot long glass tube is run from the warm nitric acid to a water and alcohol solution. Surround the receiving vessel with ice water bath. Vent the receiving bath, through another vent tube reflux through a good refrigerator or cold bath. The heat of the water bath must be cautiously applied. The retort must be kept cool by a cold wet rag or paper towel. If the alcohol is heated it may catch fire so keep it cold. The process is very productive and yields pure hypo nitrous ether. (From Dick's Encyclopedia found in Granddads Wonderful book of Chemistry).
A. Sweet Spirits of Nitre was freely available as smelling salts until it was banned due to concern about takings it medically.
It is a fantastic additive to browning and bluing solutions for colouring steel. These solutions will work without it, but better with it. It can be made in cold weather using vodka, nitric or sulfuric acid and sodium Nitrite. These can be purchased in most places. It is a strong oxidiser and as far as I know it only lasts a few weeks in the solution before it breaks down.
I made it a few years ago and its tricky because it evaporates at about 10 C. Ice is needed to keep it stable. Its a yellow liquid. Some people say that "sex poppers" Butyl Nitride^Nitrite will work, but I do not know. The boiling point is different.