Colt single action

[spudgun]

I know this is not shooting related but maybe someone knows the answer.

I have a Colt single action with the brass accents. The back strap and trigger guard are not brass colored anymore due to ware and usage.

Tonight I found out that these parts are brass plated (or dyed) steel. Used a magnet to determine the metal after I thought that maybe they were badly tarnished and used some Brasso and all it did was mate the steel highly polished.

Is there a solution that I can use to dye them brass color?

Looked on Brownell's website but didn't see anything

Thanks in advance.

 

[scasa]

Plating Kits - Brass Plating Kits - Caswell Inc

caswellplating.com

I have no experience with it I just knew where to find it

 

[rockhound78]

An actual Colt, not a clone? If a Colt, probably gold plated. What generation SAA? Might be worth more if you leave it alone if it a Colt

 

[Old Navy]

I know this is not shooting related but maybe someone knows the answer.

I have a Colt single action with the brass accents. The back strap and trigger guard are not brass colored anymore due to ware and usage.

Tonight I found out that these parts are brass plated (or dyed) steel. Used a magnet to determine the metal after I thought that maybe they were badly tarnished and used some Brasso and all it did was mate the steel highly polished.

Is there a solution that I can use to dye them brass color?

Looked on Brownell's website but didn't see anything

Thanks in advance.

A photo might help.

 

[butchlambert]

If it is a first gen. 1873 SAA Colt do not plate it. Don't do anything to it until you positively identify what it happens to be. Photos please.

 

[GotRDid]

Could it be the remnants of case color hardening? Those purple, plum, and straw colors tend to fade to a dull pewter shade with wear.

 

[butchlambert]

Could it be the remnants of case color hardening? Those purple, plum, and straw colors tend to fade to a dull pewter shade with wear.

My factory 1st gen does not have the backstrap and trigger guard color cased.

 

[spudgun]

If it is a first gen. 1873 SAA Colt do not plate it. Don't do anything to it until you positively identify what it happens to be. Photos please.

Last night I figured it out. The metal is steel (magnet sticks to it) and it is gold plated.

The plating was rubbed off by the previous owners, this gun has been owned by at least 2 people that we know of. It's a shame because the gun is in 95% orig condition and appears to have not been fired. Whoever owned it was doing a lot of playing with it with most likely sweaty hands or tried to polish the straps and took off the gold plating. I will get some pic's latter this week.