Subject: Finish for Damascus

From: Robert Ehrenberger at mcctrp2 <[email-masked]>
Date: 5 Aug 96 12:34:00 EDT

To all,

My son just bought an old shotgun that has a Damascus steal
barrel. The finish on it is shot, it is completely brown with
surface rust, and the pattern is hard to see. After we clean
it up we would like to put on a finish that will show off the
steal. Will the Damascus pattern show through blueing? Is
there a good clear coat that will hold up on a gun? It looks
like the original finish was clear (we took off the fore arm).

Thanks in advance.

Bob Ehrenberger

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From: [email-masked] (Bill Fiorini)
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 06:25:35 -0500

>like the original finish was clear (we took off the fore arm).

Bob,
If the pattern is still etched on the surface, use gun browning solution on
it.  The browning will take two different shades of color because of the
contrasting steel.  However, if the barrel is rusted to the point of  no
contrast in the pattern, it needs to be etched again and then browned.
This is a long process and should be sent to someone who does this type of
work.  There are many problems that can occur during the etching.
Bill Fiorini

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From: [email-masked]
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 1996 22:15:42 -0400

Just a note on antique firearms:

If there is any possibility that this is a collector's item, its probably
worth a lot more with the original finish - even if its ugly and rusted.  You
may want to talk to an expert before "prettying it up."

Pete Engle

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From: [email-masked] (Bill Fiorini)
Date: Thu, 8 Aug 1996 06:35:23 -0500

>Katana ---/----------- wrote:
> If you ever want to fire the weapon,
>> wiat until it is cool to the touch between shots or the laquer may start to
>> flake off. .
>> --
>>                Bill Wyant
>>    Swordsmith / Art Blacksmith
>> Avalon Ironworks, Ft. Wayne, IN
>>     [email-masked]
>
>Don't fire old Damascus barrelled weapons -- they like to explode into
>pieces of shrapnel. Best left as wall-hangers!!!!!
>
>--
>Jim McCarty
>Father Helias Forge
>Taos, MO
>Editor Rural Missouri Magazine
>Newsletter editor, Blacksmiths Association of Missouri
>
>"Foolish consistencies are the hobgoblins of little minds"

I beg to differ with Jim.  Most Damascus barrel rifles and shotguns can be
fired with safety.  Some were test proofed for black powder only and should
only be fired with black powder.  Others (later made) were proofed for
nitro or contemporary powder.  There is a touch mark on the barrel that
designates which was used in the testing.
Bill