Research Note

Blackening Cannon

Art Herrick

From the book: ORDNANCE INSTRUCTIONS for the UNITED STATES NAVY
Government Printing Office
Washington, 1866

Part III, Ordinance and Ordnance Stores, Paints and Lacquers

page 84,85 - Lacquers for iron ordnance.

1. Black-lead pulverized 12 lbs.
Red-lead 12 lbs.
Litharge 5 lbs.
Lampblack 5 lbs.
Linseed Oil 66 lbs.
Boil it gently about twenty minutes, during which time it must be constantly stirred.

2. Umber, ground 3.75 lbs.
Gum-shellac, pulverized 3.75 lbs.
Ivory, black 3.75 lbs.
Litharge 3.75 lbs.
Linseed oil 78.00 lbs.
Spirits turpentine 7.25 lbs.
The oil must be first boiled half an hour. The mixture is then boiled twenty-four hours, poured of from the sediment, put in jugs and corked.

3. Coal Tar of good quality 2 galls.
Spirits of turpentine 1 pint.
The turpentine to be added in small quantities during the application of the lacquer.

4. Anti-corrosion 40 lbs.
Grant's black, ground in oil 4 lbs.
Red-lead, as a dryer 3 lbs.
Linseed oil 4 galls.
Spirits turpentine 1 pint.
This mixture, when well stirred and incorporated, will be fit for use; but, as by long keeping in this state it becomes hard, no more should be mixed than may be required for immediate use.

Anti-
Corrosion. Slag from iron foundries, pounded 12 lbs.
Chalk 12 lbs.
Soot, common 1 lb.
In applying lacquer, the surface of the iron must be first cleaned with a scraper and a wire brush, if necessary, and the lacquer applied hot, in two thin coats, with a paint-brush. It is best done in summer.

Old lacquer should be removed with a scrapper, or by scouring, and not by heating the guns or balls, by which the metal is injured.

OK Guys .... start finding the above ingredients [if you can], a pot with a fire underneath [I suggest doing it out-doors], and start mixing!! Then paint some full size lacquer samples on a piece of cleaned-up cast iron ... then mix your favorite model paint to match the color of the lacquer sample of your choice.
{Art Herrick}

Back?

1.	Black-lead pulverized	12 lbs.
	Red-lead	12 lbs.
	Litharge	5 lbs.
	Lampblack	5 lbs.
	Linseed Oil	66 lbs.
Boil it gently about twenty minutes, during which time it must be constantly stirred.
2.	Umber, ground	3.75 lbs.
	Gum-shellac, pulverized	3.75 lbs.
	Ivory, black	3.75 lbs.
	Litharge	3.75 lbs.
	Linseed oil	78.00 lbs.
	Spirits turpentine	7.25 lbs.
The oil must be first boiled half an hour. The mixture is then boiled twenty-four hours, poured of from the sediment, put in jugs and corked.
3.	Coal Tar of good quality	2 galls.
	Spirits of turpentine	1 pint.
The turpentine to be added in small quantities during the application of the lacquer.
4.	Anti-corrosion	40 lbs.
	Grant's black, ground in oil	4 lbs.
	Red-lead, as a dryer	3 lbs.
	Linseed oil	4 galls.
	Spirits turpentine	1 pint.
This mixture, when well stirred and incorporated, will be fit for use; but, as by long keeping in this state it becomes hard, no more should be mixed than may be required for immediate use.
Anti- Corrosion.	Slag from iron foundries, pounded	12 lbs.
	Chalk	12 lbs.
	Soot, common	1 lb.
In applying lacquer, the surface of the iron must be first cleaned with a scraper and a wire brush, if necessary, and the lacquer applied hot, in two thin coats, with a paint-brush. It is best done in summer.