gunmetal

gunmetal

1. a type of bronze containing copper (88 per cent), tin (8--10 per cent), and zinc (2--4 per cent): used for parts that are subject to wear or to corrosion, esp by sea water

2. any of various dark grey metals used for toys, belt buckles, etc.

3. a dark grey colour with a purplish or bluish tinge

Collins Discovery Encyclopedia, 1st edition © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

gunmetal

[′gən‚med·əl]

(metallurgy)

Bronze composed of copper and tin in proportions of 9:1, formerly used to make cannons.

Any metal or alloy from which guns are made.

Any metal or alloy treated to give the appearance of black, tarnished copper-alloy gunmetal.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.