Regarding the color, it's certain that nothing like deliberate "contrast" staining was in use a century ago on factory pipes. What was used FOR staining---meaning the chemicals/dyes---isn't known, though.
Having done a bunch of oldies myself, in this case I'd say a (very!) small amount of black added to the mix would have done the trick of its own accord. No layering needed.
That said, between the room lights, the photo software, the photo host site aberrations (two hosts in this case), and the display screen settings (on both ends), ANYTHING to do with color on the Interweb is unpredictable and unreliable. Having the pipes in hand is all that truly means anything when it comes to finish/color. Also, simply cleaning and waxing the "old" shots here would change things dramatically. But then they wouldn't be old, would they? :lol:
And so it goes.
Regarding everything else, it simply doesn't get much better. This guy is
serious.
HINT: But for two letters, he'd be a famous outlaw. :
: