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I am working on a William Evans 16 bore double that I have. I bent the stock successfully last weekend (thanks to many suggestions here and elsewhere).

Now I have a hammer to finish fixing. The original hammer broke and was artfully welded back together by a welder that Jim Westberg uses out of MSP. Anyway, I filed down the small bead and the hammer looks very good, though bright. I can rust blue it but then it will look too much like a brand new hammer and will not match the left side, nor the patina on the rest of the gun which is worn as a 130 yr old gun should be, but not abused or pitted.

Something that is sort of plumb/blue and thinning might be about right. I suppose I should break down and do both hammers so they match better too.

Any suggestions on this?

Brent

Brent,
Do the rust blue but only a couple times. You'll get a plum color that will look about right, I think. You can also use some courser steel wool or the fine Scotchbrite and card the edges until you get some highlights.

Thanks for the ideas Chuck.

I have also heard of using a mix of cold blue and browning solution. Ever heard of anything like that?

Brent

Brent:
Boil after the first rusting (or maybe two, depending on your solution or the hammer-steel), then do the last couple without boiling, to finish off. You can then control the carding on the non-boiled rust, hopefully to get a close match.

Try Birtchwood Casey Plumb Brown, gives a nice even brown color that looks like it belongs.
bill

Did a Lefever H grade barrel repair once using Plumb Brown. Clean and then heat, per instructions. Coat then card repeatedly until color is right. Next, work with steel wood, or Scotchbrite. This is a brownish cast finish.