faux Damascus finish

[alex e.]

I can't recall if and when this was covered.
What's the easiest way to accomplish this?
It doesn't need to be a super tight figure/effect

[msellers]

Not sure if this has everything you are looking for, but at least some discussion was had.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=766.msg7877;topicseen#msg7877

[msellers]

Here is a great description if you scroll to reply #19, but the photos will give you inspiration as well.
Mike

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=8046.0

[jerrywh]

Here is one way. Cut a strip of cloth preferably polyester. Twist it and then wrap it around the barrel leaving open spaces between the wrap. Then spray the barrel with lacquer. The part where the cloth is will not be covered with the lacquer.  After the lacquer dries remove the cloth.  Then spray the barrel with a 10% to 7 % solution of nitric acid even a good browning solution will work if allowed to stay on long enough to lightly etch the barrel. after the barrel is etched wash the barrel with water and then lacquer thinner to remove the lacquer and acid. then apply cold blue then lightly sand with fine wet and dry paper but be careful not to remove enough to obliterate the etching. Then brown in the usual manner.  As you can see the manner in witch you do this will determine the pattern. Therefore it may take some experimenting to produce the desired pattern. It works great for me.
   Another way is to wrap the barrel with dental floss and then spray it with browning solution.
 To obtain the desired pattern. Then brown it.

[alex e.]

Thanks, the dental flood method is the one I was thinking about. I appreciate the input.

[Lucky R A]

 Alex,
         A number of years ago I did a barrel w/ dental floss.  I learned to be careful and not cross over the floss thus getting X type pattern intermixed with the much more correct parallel  lines.  I then etched the barrel w/ nitric to slightly etch the pattern into the steel.  The barrel was then browned.  I sanded lightly with very fine w/d paper and cold blued the top of the ridges left from the nitric etch.  A PITA, but it can get you where you want to go. 
  Ron

[alex e.]

Thanks , Ron.