Barrel finishing for militarized NE Fowling gun

[bob in the woods]

I'm getting close to the point of finishing my NE fowling gun which I've cut back and fitted with a stud for a bayonet.
It's patterned after NE-40 in Grinslade's book.  Should I leave the barrel as bright to tarnish with use or fire blue ?  From the photo in the book, it almost looks as though both the lock and barrel were treated in some manner...or is that just age ?

[rich pierce]

Look at the picture of the barrel forward of the forestock. See more patina on the upper half of the barrel? If so it suggests the barrel had some brown patina on the top exposed surfaces but not where covered by the forestock where it was bright. Depending on how much you enjoy telling a story with your builds, I’d cover the bottom 3/8 of the barrel with electricians tape from one end to the other and brown the rest. Soften the border a little and add a little bit of browning to the lower 3/8 of the barrel that is now exposed from nosecap to muzzle.

[smylee grouch]

Clever! 

[bob in the woods]

Very clever !