Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Gunmetal is a dark grey metallic colour that sits between silver and black. It has a slight bluish or warm undertone and keeps its metallic sheen, so it looks softer and more “technical” than black. For buttons, snap buttons and eyelets, gunmetal is one of the most requested tones for jackets, denim, bags and menswear collections.
In this article we explain exactly what gunmetal is, how it differs from graphite, anthracite and the black mirror tones known as “black nickel”, and which codes from the Polkom colour chart to ask for.
What is gunmetal – the origin of the name
The name comes from the alloy gunmetal – a type of bronze once used to cast cannons. Over time the term became separated from the material and today it means a colour: dark grey with a metallic sheen, sometimes with a slight blue or violet tint. So when we talk about gunmetal for buttons, we mean the tone of the finish, not the material. The button itself may be made of brass or zinc alloy.
As with other metallic colours, there is no common standard. One manufacturer calls an almost black tone “gunmetal”, another a medium grey. That is why in the Polkom catalogue every shade has its own code, not just a name.
Gunmetal, graphite, anthracite and “black nickel” – what is the difference
The four names are often used as synonyms, but they actually describe different points on one scale – from medium grey to almost black:
- Gunmetal – dark grey, with a clear metallic sheen and often a bluish undertone. In the chart: PK-G02 Gunmetal gloss, PK-M09 Gunmetal satin, PK-M50 Gunmetal semi-gloss, PK-M46 Dark gunmetal satin.
- Graphite – slightly more matte and more neutral, closer to the colour of pencil lead. In the chart: PK-M51 Graphite matte, PK-M08 Dark graphite satin, PK-M59 Cool graphite satin, PK-G14 Dark graphite gloss.
- Anthracite – the darkest matte grey, with almost no sheen: PK-M11 Anthracite matte.
- “Black nickel” – a trade name for the tone, not the composition: almost black, mirror-bright. Closest to it in the chart are PK-G05 Black mirror gloss and PK-M38 Black mirror chrome. All these Polkom finishes are nickel free – “black nickel” describes only the appearance.
Gunmetal finishes in the chart
The same grey tone looks completely different depending on the surface. So when choosing, look not only at the colour but also at the level of sheen.
| Surface | Codes | What it looks like | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirror gloss | PK-G21 Mirror gunmetal | strong reflection, cool bluish tone | eveningwear, bags, luxury accessories |
| Gloss | PK-G02, PK-M47, PK-M49 | shiny, clear metallic sheen | jackets, logo snap buttons |
| Satin and semi-gloss | PK-M09, PK-M46, PK-M50, PK-M08, PK-M59 | soft sheen, does not show fingerprints | denim, casualwear, workwear |
| Matte | PK-M51, PK-M11 | no sheen, modern look | sportswear and urban wear, minimalism |
| Antique | PK-M04, PK-M17, PK-M55, PK-P23 | dark recesses, lighter edges | embossed and logo buttons, vintage collections |
| Brushed (lacquer) | PK-P31, PK-P42 | fine lines, industrial look | bags, furniture, men’s accessories |
Why gunmetal is so popular
Gunmetal is often described as “the new black” for metal accessories. The reasons are practical:
- It is neutral. It works on black, grey, navy, olive, khaki and all shades of denim.
- It is softer than black. On black fabric a black button disappears, while gunmetal stays visible without shouting.
- It mixes with other metals. The combination of gunmetal and antique brass is a classic on jackets and backpacks.
- It hides wear. Satin and antique versions do not show fingerprints and minor scratches as much as mirror tones.
Gunmetal on snap buttons, eyelets and buttons
For snap buttons, gunmetal is among the most ordered tones for jackets, sweatshirts and children’s outerwear. An embossed logo on the cap shows especially well with the antique versions PK-M04 Gunmetal antique and PK-M17 Antique gunmetal, because the recesses stay darker.
For eyelets on bags and shoes, choose satin or matte gunmetal – at the edge of the eyelet the cord and tape rub the surface and gloss quickly loses its shine. For metal shank buttons, the mirror PK-G21 looks most striking on a smooth dome, and the graphite tones on textured buttons.
Brass or zinc alloy – a different tone
The G and M series finishes are applied to brass (B) and to zinc alloy (A). With dark grey tones the difference is particularly noticeable, because the base affects the depth of the colour. Here are a few examples from the chart:
- PK-M09 Gunmetal satin – version B is visibly lighter;
- PK-M47 Black gunmetal gloss – version A is visibly lighter;
- PK-M50 Gunmetal semi-gloss – version A is darker;
- PK-M04 Gunmetal antique – version A is lighter.
If your snap buttons are brass and the belt buckle is zinc alloy, ask for samples of both materials in the same code and compare them on the fabric.
How to describe gunmetal in your inquiry
The word “gunmetal” on its own is not enough to get exactly the tone you have in mind. To avoid repeat samples, state in your inquiry:
- The chart code – for example PK-M09 Gunmetal satin, not just “dark grey”.
- The surface – mirror gloss, gloss, satin, matte, antique or brushed. The same tone with a different sheen looks like a different colour.
- The material – brass (B) or zinc alloy (A), especially if the product has several kinds of metal accessories.
- The fabric and the other accessories – a photo or sample of the fabric, the colour of the zip and the thread. Gunmetal looks bluer next to cool fabrics and browner next to warm ones.
If you already have a button or eyelet in the desired tone from a previous collection, send it as a physical sample. We will compare it with the chart and suggest the closest code.
Gunmetal and the skin
Because of names like “black nickel”, buyers often ask whether the dark tones differ in composition. The answer is no: all Polkom metal finishes – gunmetal, graphite and the black mirror tones alike – are nickel free. Read more in the article nickel-free accessories for clothing.
A sample in gunmetal
Polkom is a manufacturer of snap buttons, eyelets, buttons and other metal accessories with over 30 years of experience. We can make your model and logo in any of the gunmetal tones in the chart. Send us the code, the article and a photo of the fabric via the contact form – we will prepare a sample so that you can approve the tone before the production run.
