[Eric in the Ozarks]

I’m not familier with “browned” steel...

[yarddog]

Browned steel is just what it sounds like. They turn it brown instead of blue. Most muzzleloader reproductions are browned instead of blued.

I guess that is what they did in older times.

[exnavy]

It is just a slightly different blueing process that yeilds a different color.