I'm just starting to build Verlinden's 1/16 Dahlgren naval gun and could use some advise on the color of the tube. The photo makes it look either gun metal or black with some heavy gunmetal dry-brushing/highlights.

Can anyone advise me on the best and most accurate color to paint the tube on a Civil War naval gun? I always thought they were straight black.

Thanks.

Brian

That is how I would go....black with gunmetal highlights. Every one and picture I have seen had them either painted black (large guns)or bronze/brass..(usually Napoleons)

Black, anything from a matte through glossy. As the gun saw service the Black would fade but the life of a Naval gunner or a guy in a fortress generally provided plenty of downtime to pull maintenance on the pieces.

Thanks guys. I'll go with a straight black -- probably a satin finish rather than either flat or glossy. The illustrations provided with the Verlinden kits always make them look more of a silvery gunmetal color which I always suspected was inaccurate.

Thanks again.

Brian