Questions and answers from Facebook

“Does anyone have a technique for aging pewter and other tin alloys?”
-John Logan

Here are some of the most informative comments from the post.

Ron T. “I have a greatcoat that I dyed in walnut hulls for about a week. Turned out nice and brown, the pewter buttons turned a nice dull grey/gray(sp)”

Harry H, “Brass Black will do it”

Willy F, “Cold blue, brass black, friction.”

Steve R, “Solder “Black” and some cold blue solutions will darken pewter.”

Jerry H, ‘Dig a hole in the ground and put the outer in the hole cover it and come back in a month!”

Henry K, “As the Delaware Regiment, we issued wooden button polishers and polish, as they did in the Revolution, and polished our buttons, and brushed our coats for parade. We also polished our musket barrels and cleaned our locks and bayonets, the guns fire better when well maintained, and you would not want to give a redcoat with a rusty bayonet, would you?”