so I found a how to a list of ingrediants.
but just where to find the ingrediants? I dont hane any Dragons Blood laying arournd the house this week.
ae there other things that can be used?
"Instructions for Browning Gun Barrels
The following Ingredients:
Nitric Acid 1/2 ounce
Sweet Spirit of 1/2 ditto.
Spirits of Wine 1 ditto.
Blue Vitriol 2 ditto
Tincture of Steel 1 ditto.
are to be mixed together, the vitriol having been previously dissolved in a sufficient quantity of water to make with the other ingredients, one quart of mixture.
Previous to commencing the operation of Browning the Barrel, it is necessary that it be well cleaned from all greasiness and other impurities, and that a plug of wood be put into its muzzle, and the vent well stopped; the mixture is then to be applied with a clean sponge or rag, taking care that every part of the Barrel be covered with the mixture, which must then be exposed to the air for twenty-four hours, after which exposure the Barrel must be rubbed with a hard brush and rag, to remove the oxid from the surface. This operation must be performed a second and a third time (if necessary), by which the Barrel will be made of a perfectly brown colour: it must then be carefully brushed and wiped, and immersed in boiling water, in which a small quantity of alkaline matter has been put, in order that the action of the Acid upon the Barrel may be destroyed, and the impregnation of the water by the Acid neutralized.
The Barrel when taken from the Water must, after being perfectly dry, be rubbed smooth with a burnisher of hard wood, and then heated to about the temperature of boiling water; it then will be ready to receive a varnish made of the following materials;
Spirits of Wine 1 Quart
Dragon's Blood powder 3 Drams
Shellac bruised 1 Ounce
and after the varnish is perfectly dry upon the Barrel it must be rubbed with the burnisher to give it a smooth and glossy appearance.
Upon further research I have found the source of the Dragons Blood Powder.
It ids ground form the root of the KoKo Crater Tree
which grows on the island of Socotra Archipelago
would anyone be going by that area and pop some in the mail to me if you could.
Thanks
Capt Walt
Now, Off to the Oriential Market to purchare a Mortor & Pestal. It never ends!