Original Query: Colouring of Armour
Gervase Markham, in his THE SOULDIERS ACCIDENCE (1625) states: "pikemen shall have good combe-caps for their heade, well lined with quilted caps, curaces for their bodies of nimble and good mould, being pike proof' large and well compact gordgetts for their neckes, fayre and close joyned taches, to arm to the mid-thigh, as for the pauldron or the vantbrace, they may be spared, because they are but cumbersome. All this armour is to be russet, sanguine or blacke colour, than white or milled, for it will keepe the longer from rust." (Also in THR ENGLISH CIVIL WAR / Haythornthwalte. Blandford 1983 p25)
It is generally assumed by Re-enactment societies and Wargamers that most armour available, be it flbre-glass or the increasingly common metal suits, must be painted black. Not only is it easier to paint but it looks good! But here we have two more methods of rust-proofing.
Does anyone know exactly the finish or even methods of 'Russetting' or 'Sanguining?' The plate of a Cornet (25) in the above book may show Russetlng but how common was it? and did it actually prevent rust or merely enable it to blend in with rest of the armour!
Answer
In issue one of Civil War Notes and Queries 'Denzil' inquired about the treatment of armour to prevent rust. 'Russetting' was, and is, a controlled method of creating a layer of ferric-oxide (red rust) on a steel surface so as to colour it and in turn inhibit further 'natural' rusting. Anything that causes steel to rust can be used in this process, but unless it is controlled the result is simply a rusty piece of armour. A traditional method, used up until about 1820; when new chemical formulas were developed, used a saline solution. Strips of salt pork were cut off a 'side' and tied to the steel surface and left in position over night. Next day the pork was removed and the surface rust removed with an abrasive and the pork reapplied. After several days a coat of red-oxide was built up and once the steel surface was washed to stop the process and it had been cleaned again several coats of oil were worked into the metal. The result was a red/brown finish which resisted further rusting.
As the colour would vary from one piece of steel to the next, from russet to a bright red, depending upon the quality of the steel, I believe 'sanguining' is the same process as russetting, but resulting in a redder colour. Sanguine means "having the colour of blood; deep red" Collins English Dictionary.
As to how wide-spread russetting was in comparison with painting is difficult to judge, but was certainly the finish most often found on firearms such as muskets. In 1631 when the Gun Makers Rates were fixed by the Privy Council the cost "For making clean and new russetting of a musket" was fixed at four pence.
(A modern browning solution for use on weapons and armour can be purchased from some gunshops ).
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