Will these brushes used for detailing damage the blueing finish on these old S&W revolvers? Seems to me I read that Bronze cleaning brushes can scratch the bore then I would think that the Brinze detailing brushes might easily do the same to the Blueing. What do you think?

Bronze brushes will not harm a gun bore if used properly.
That means to push it all the way through the bore before pulling it back through.
That also means not being stupid and running a brush in the bore with an electric drill.

A bronze or brass brush will not harm bluing unless you get too rough or use it too much.

That certainly makes a lot of sense. I don't plan on using the detailing brush unless I really need to. It came with the cleaning kit and my first thought was if I use it on any part of the gun that's Blued will it scratch it. It's not meant to clean the bore or the inside of the cylinder it's strickly for external cleaning. I guess I'm use to seeing what a wire brush can do to metal.
Thanks for the help.

For what you describe, I like using the "GI-toothbrush" the double ended nylon brush often seen in M16 cleaning kits.

I've seen those too maybe I'll have to pick one up. For now I have a new toothbrush I can use but the one with the small end would come in real handy for those tight spots.

I use the bronze cleaning brushes in the hard to access/clean areas. Like between the top of the barrel and the frame to clean out carbon and lead. A nylon brush just doesn't clean sufficiently here. But I use gun cleaning fluid (Ed's red in my case) and don't use the brushes on the finely polished exterior blue surfaces.

My view is that improper cleaning techniques does more damage to bores than bronze bore brushes. YMMV.

And do not use stainless steel bore brushes in any rifle, pistol, revolver barrel. The ends or tips of the brushes will leave a scratched bore. The ones for shotguns Tornado I think is the brand name are almost continous coils and don't scratch the shotgun bores. Thats the only place I will use a stainless brush. Works a treat getting out heavy leading. Frank

Absolutely agree. In ignorance I used a S.S. bore brush on the badly leaded bore of a .44 Mag. Ruger Redhawk. No matter what I did with J.B. polish, etc., the haze from the scratches could not be removed.

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After 35+ years of owning numerous antique firearms, I know that cleaning them can be a chore. I buy brass bristled toothbrushes at my local hardware store. They do not cause any harm to original finishes or real patina. For thick rust, I use a piece of brass stock and scrape the heavy residue off. I see on many forums where 0000 steel wool is recommended, but exercise caution. We should all exercise caution, regardless of our cleaning methods, but brass cleaning implements can be used vigorously without damaging existing finishes. Brass may leave streaks on the steel surface, but quickly disappear with Hoppes #9 and a rag. Bronze wool is also a wonderful tool for safe cleaning. Good luck!

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GMC-USN, Retired/1978 to 2001

4 out of 5 dentists recommend brass bristled toothbrushes.

Just an added note of caution about brass/bronze bore brushes. Do not buy the el cheapo's with the steel core and cut off end. The cut off ends will very readily scratch your barrel, and will definitely do a job on firing pin bushing holes and auto firing pin holes on the slide. Don't mean to sound snobby but will only buy all brass/bronze bore brushes with brass cores and rounded ends. Frank

That's a very good point you brought up. I'm sure a lot of people never give it any thought, they buy the cheapest first. Thats one of the first things I checked when I bought my cleaning kit. I have seen the ones your talking about that have the end twisted and cut off with sharp edges. Im with you, the rounded wire ends are the ones to use even if you cannot find the brass ones.