gunmetal

gunmetal, a bronze, an alloy of copper, tin, and a small amount of zinc. Although originally used extensively for making guns (from which it received its name), it has been superseded by steel, and it is now chiefly employed in casting machine parts. The so-called 88–10–2 (copper-tin-zinc) alloy is the "government bronze," composed of 88% copper, 10% tin, and 2% zinc. The percentages of the three elements are varied slightly in gunmetals produced for different purposes. The metal commonly called gunmetal today is very often steel treated to simulate the bronze alloy. In other cases, copper and tin are used alone; in still others, copper, tin, and lead are used.

---

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

---

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.