[Hugh]

Gerben

"Browning" was the finish used to protect the firearm from rusting before "bluing" was used. It is applied in the same manner as rust bluing, which is all that it is; "rusting". However it is rusting that is left in the red oxidized state (ferric oxide)rather than being converted to a black finsh (ferrosic oxide)by boiling in water.In the 1700's gunsmiths applied a salt water solution to the metal get this finish. Nowadays, it can be applied using Birchwood Casey's Plum Brown solution used like rust bluing.