Here are two identical silvers pads. One is newly fitted, the other has about 2 years of normal use.

Never done a Silvers but I have re-ground a few used pads and have found that just a few applications of any kind of light oil well rubbed in will blend the new and the old very nicely, so I imagine it would darken a new pad too.

Used crankcase oil works a bit faster than new oil, but both work if you give the new oil enough time. I just use the gun.

Thanks guys, I applied a few coats of vaseline and used an old barrel patch on it and it looks great. I didnt have the patience to just let it age naturally, it just looked "too new" on the gun.

This worked great, thank you.

We need pictures!

Make a slurry of blue mud, duck blood, bacon grease, tobacco juice (Mammoth Cave works best), a dash of Hoppes #9 for flavor, and just a pinch of black powder residue.

I heard that for a smallbore Parker you have to use grouse, woodcock, or quail blood in lieu of duck blood, but the rest of the recipe is spot on.

No Old Bay?