"Brass Rod as Spent Shell Casings?" Topic

I'm just finishing off a Copplestone (28mm) RCW Naval Brigade Maxim team mounted on a 60mm base and felt a nice touch would be to have some shell casings strewn about the place. I've seen people mention that brass rod cut into small lengths looks very effective. I've just bought a rod at my local supplier (Gamezone in Exmouth, UK. Can I please have a 10% discount now Dave?), but have read elsewhere that varnishing raw brass can lead to eventual discolouring. Surely, thinks I, brass unsealed would discolour naturally anyway (and I'm not applying Brasso with a VERY small cloth every six months)? Any helpful suggestions?

Sounds good.

For larger caliber casings, you can use brass tubing.

If concerned with discoloring, you could go with styrene rod, and just paint it a brass color.

i use it frequently as such on bases and vehicles, not had a problem with tarnishing, cant see it being a problem anyhows for 28mm!

It should be noted that firing can often discolor brass casings, many of which don't look all that 'brassy' to begin with. So maybe you shouldn't over-think it?

If the discoloration is caused by oxidation, won't hitting the brass with sealer prevent it?

I just use copper wire. picture (1:72)

That base was made in 1999 and photographed this past March.
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Tim

I've used brass rod as 155mm casings fir micro-scale. It looks neat.

@Ditto Bird

Looks awesome. However they are piling up too neatly too near the gun. Move 'em over a foot!

Cool use of wire! I'll have to try that.

@ CorpCommander

Obviously this canny gun crew have attached a bit of deflector above the ejector, don't want to have to work too hard to police their rounds when the range officer arrives!