Were H&P Barrels Bright or Browned?

[Dan Greketis 4914V]

I picked up an H&P this weekend and the barrel is light brown. Was it suppose to be brown or is it just showing it's age?

[Rich Foster]

Antique civil war bright barrels will turn a patina brown with time. I would say H&P barrels were bright when the breech was converted.

[Dan Greketis 4914V]

I was thinking that might be the case

[Dave Fox]

Pull the barrel or remove a barrel band to see what's underneath.

[Dan Greketis 4914V]

Pull the barrel or remove a barrel band to see what's underneath.
The same light brown