M1841 barrel finish

[Moses Milner]

Hello all..
What was the original finish on the M1841 rifles?
I have been told that it was a rust brown by some while others insist that a lacquer brown is correct. Does anyone know what the original arsenal finish was?
Thanks.
Moses Milner

[John Bly]

Robert Reilly in his excellent book "United States Military Small Arms 1816-1865" calls it a lacquer browned barrel. Other opinions may vary but I trust Reilly in most things U.S military related.

[John Holland]

John is quite correct. For a complete description see the book "Ordnance Manual, 1862", pages 192 - 194. The finish was applied and there are instructions how to make it and apply it, and how to remove it for reapplication. Simply the finish is brushed on and lacquered over to protect it.

This book was reprinted by a company called "Ordnance Park Corporation" in 1970. I do not know if it has been reprinted again, or if it is available on the internet in electronic format.

JDH

[Moses Milner]

Thanks guys.
I can "assume," then, that the factory brown finish on the repo M1841s is fairly close to correct...?
Thanks again.
Moses

[R. McAuley 3014V]

Mr. Mo, the varnish for browned arms you are looking for is the one on the top of page 194 and is the "brown" with a reddish-tint to it because of the dragon's blood (copal resin) being a chief ingredient of the browning mixture. Below are some examples of the "brown" color.

http://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1192

http://www.collegehillarsenal.com/shop/product.php?productid=1003

http://www.19thcenturyweapons.com/909/misslongrange.html

[Moses Milner]

Thanks Richard.
That is exactly what I was looking for.
Thanks again to all who responded.
Moses