Black bores and 'Brown guns'

BILL · 06-13-2001, 11:22 AM

Often when someone offers a gun for sale it is described as having a black bore or a dark bore. What exactly causes this and what, if anything, can be done about it? This condition is often described in conjunction with some line such as 'typical "brown gun". I have seen some pistols that were just a few days shy of being rusty and wonder if this is what is meant by a brown gun. Interestingly, an old Colt SAA in 'Brown or no finish' is still very collectable and valuable but not so in a Luger. Anyone care to explain in a little more detail? Thanks.

Marvin · 06-13-2001, 11:41 AM

Bill,

The dark bores is where corrosive ammo has been fired in a weapon and not cleaned properly. The bore will rust and then eventually cleaned. After the ventual cleaning, the surface will be left with this dark color. If you were to look at the surface of the bore closely, you will see very fine surface pitting. Most of the darkness is iron oxide which has formed in/on the surface After firing some ammo and cleaned properly, most of the darkness will disappear, but the bore will have a dull shade to it. It may take several shooting/cleaning sessions to get this out.

The "Brown" color is the surface of the entire pistol. Instead of being blue, the metal is continuing the "rusting" process under the bluing. Since this process is not controlled, the color is "Brownish". Many time you don't see this if you are not in bright light. Take a Luger outside and observe the finish color. This is from age, and sometimes from improper storage.

Marvin

Johnny Peppers · 06-13-2001, 01:55 PM

The pre-war Colt SAA is still collectible in a no finish condition as slightly less than 360,000 were ever made, and the demand for them is very high. Rarity alone does not necessarily command a high price. Rarity and demand does create high prices.

06-13-2001, 11:22 AM	#1
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Black bores and 'Brown guns' Often when someone offers a gun for sale it is described as having a black bore or a dark bore. What exactly causes this and what, if anything, can be done about it? This condition is often described in conjunction with some line such as 'typical "brown gun". I have seen some pistols that were just a few days shy of being rusty and wonder if this is what is meant by a brown gun. Interestingly, an old Colt SAA in 'Brown or no finish' is still very collectable and valuable but not so in a Luger. Anyone care to explain in a little more detail? Thanks.

06-13-2001, 11:41 AM	#2
Marvin User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 1,132 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Black bores and 'Brown guns' Bill, The dark bores is where corrosive ammo has been fired in a weapon and not cleaned properly. The bore will rust and then eventually cleaned. After the ventual cleaning, the surface will be left with this dark color. If you were to look at the surface of the bore closely, you will see very fine surface pitting. Most of the darkness is iron oxide which has formed in/on the surface After firing some ammo and cleaned properly, most of the darkness will disappear, but the bore will have a dull shade to it. It may take several shooting/cleaning sessions to get this out. The "Brown" color is the surface of the entire pistol. Instead of being blue, the metal is continuing the "rusting" process under the bluing. Since this process is not controlled, the color is "Brownish". Many time you don't see this if you are not in bright light. Take a Luger outside and observe the finish color. This is from age, and sometimes from improper storage. Marvin

06-13-2001, 01:55 PM	#3
Johnny Peppers User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Calion, Arkansas Posts: 1,042 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Black bores and 'Brown guns' The pre-war Colt SAA is still collectible in a no finish condition as slightly less than 360,000 were ever made, and the demand for them is very high. Rarity alone does not necessarily command a high price. Rarity and demand does create high prices.