Darth, not trying to sound negative, but once upon a time I used to "age" or create "patina" on some of the barrels of muzzle loaders I was building. Then one rainy day, while crating a rifle for a Texas customer, I looked closely at the metal and realized that although the "patina" looked great, it did not actually look like a natural patina. I stopped what I was doing and thought on the subject quite a bit. I eventually came to the conclusion that why put a false wannabe patina on a brand new rifle? It was not an honest patina and would alter any natural patina that should develop over the next several years. If you look at the induced patina in another light and that being as a metal finish only, the issue only becomes more cloudy for purists and hard core collectors down the road. The false patina hides honest wear and tear and causes some people to question your motives. I had one customer ask what was I trying to hide on the barrel I forged. Nothing. I just wanted the rifle to appear "older". He laughed and said, Yeah. The metal looks older, but the stock looks new. Who ever made and sold an original rifle like that? To make a longer story short, since those days, I've changed my personal opinion of induced patinas and prefer to let Mother Nature take her course. I'm not suggesting that you change your mind, but to merely decide if that is the way you really wish to go. Later, dude.
