PLEASE STOP!!!!!!
I started to read your posting and got to the part about sand blasting and went to "post response" so fast that I missed your name.
However I need to asure you that you can remove 200 years of paint and crud with any good stripper. brass will clean up with toilet bowl cleaner I use "Snow Bowl" sold at Target.
I'm part of Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris and have seen a number of fine brass parts
damaged beyond repair after someone thought that it would be faster to go to the bead blaster.
Dave Wolven
Owner of Wolvens Restoration
San Jacinto Ca.