Browned off...

I believe the term, "Browned off" comes from the process of preserving steelwork with controlled RUST. In centuries past, musketeers and carabiners would take the exposed metal parts of their muzzle loaders and treat them with a rust accelerating compound. This obviously dulls shiney new steel but a soldier or hunter didn't want the sun reflecting off their gun barrels. This actually helps keep metal good and I have a percussion lock musket from the 1800's which testifies. Once browned off, the steel can be oiled or waxed to a lovely deep patina. I say this because there is a glut of stainless and bronze parts available for boats today but I have a friend in Maine who fits his punts out in iron and browns them off in the traditional way. Look great and is easily maintained. Mild steel is workable, long lasting, good looking and CHEAP. Boatmen, you don't have to spend your hard earned Reales on mass produced chrome. Find a gunsmith and get browned off.