Here's another idea. If your shootin box has got zinc plated hinges or catches on it, take them off and burn the plating off in a fire, then clean them up with a steel brush and give them a coat of stove polish... that way they look way more "period". Another way of getting a traditional finish is to heat up the steel until it turns dark grey,( no where near red) then dunk or paint it with motor oil, bee's wax is good for this too. But be warned, it's gunna smoke and stink and if the steel is too hot, you could have a fire on yer hands (literaly)