AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Leighton on December 07, 2009, 04:03:29 AM
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I bought this from a friend of mine who has had it for near 50 years. The barrels were in the white and
I have just finished rebrowning them. I thought it was English,but discovered Wm. Barr was a gunsmith in NYC from
about 1839-1859. Does anyone know anything further about him. I will try to post a more full length pict tomorrow.
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FDSC_00031.JPG&hash=a6899cfbd04065dc97e7fedc7159a15e539f1dd3)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FDSC_0003-1.JPG&hash=674df2462f5260dd13677eaf04299a250a0da497)
(https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hunt101.com%2Fdata%2F500%2Fmedium%2FDSC_00021.JPG&hash=7590dcfefd593c1d7f65cb5251799632a441f0c8)
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I have just posted the longer length picture
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Leighton:
Can't help you with Mr. Barr, but nice color on the barrels. I hope the Birmingham barrels I have to do turn out as well. Did you use one of the available solutions, or mix your own?
Rick
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This was a VERY difficult barrel to brown because of the high steel content. I started with Mark Lee solution,but finally went to Greeners formula full strength.
Greener Browning Formula
The solution is as follows:-
1oz Muriate tincture of steel (Tinc of Ferric Chloride13%)
1oz spirits of wine [you don't need)
1/4oz muriate of mercury [mercuric chloride)
1/4oz strong nitric acid
1/8oz blue stone [copper sulphate]
1 qt water
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William Barr was indeed a NYC gunsmith/gunmaker. He is listed in Vol. 5 of the five volume set of books The New York State Firearms Trade by H. J. Swinney, compiled by Tom Rowe.
Barr is listed in NYC directories as early as 1835. His shop was at 106 Beekman Street from 1835 through at least 1850. He was listed in the 1850 Industrial Census: $500 invested, employed one hand @ $30 per month, purchased 40 barrels, mountings, etc., @ $160; made 40 guns totalling $480, did repairs, etc. worth $750.
There were several other gunsmiths named Barr in NYC also, probably related.
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Leighton stole that gun from me at the Tulsa show. I was feeling vulnerable and he took full advantage of me........though he did part with a fantastic early breechloading W.W. Greener cause he was feeling sorry for me. Really, I cannot think of anyone I'd rather have the gun than Leighton--he'll undo the damage I did to it back in the '50's and is proud of it. Good combination.
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That sure is a beautiful old double.There is something about a fine old double that really reminds me of perfection in the gun building art.I'll bet that the original owner was walking on clouds when he obtained this one.