This the finish on a used S Hawken rifle.
This is how most old used guns look like and this one is likely pretty much like it was at the end of its service life, likely being retired with 10-20 years service (?). It shows the correct finish/metal/wood wear.
Here is a trade gun same scenario of use.
This goes back to my post on the "bleach" thread concerning people trying to "antique" something when they don't even know what its supposed to look like.
This is not an insult to anyone its a simple statement of fact.
ALL the wood and ALL the metal does not "age" at the same rate.
The metal parts don't look like they were boiled in bleach.
Most of the overall pitting on guns comes from STORAGE after they fell from use (kids playing with the "old gun" does not help either) or outright neglect/stupidity by the owner. USING the gun and doing a little maintenance tends to PREVENT pitting other than chlorate pits on percussion guns. Just using oiled or greased patches will put some oil/grease on some metal parts.
So the old guns, at least during their service life, don't look like they were boiled in bleach.
I have a rifle that has been shot hundreds of shots. Its been dinged and dented. But the heat blue is hardly worn off the TG and pipes. It was made about 30 years ago. It is neither excessively pampered or abused.
Dan
