Eric, An outstanding pistol. How did you get the great finish on the lock and barrel?
Thanks everyone again for the kind words. The finish on the steel is as follows: Finish the barrel and lock "as new", the lock case hardened and polished bright, the barrel drawfiled and burnished with a metal rod to add a little polish. Let them sit out in the rain for a while, add sunshine, more rain, some more sunshine, etc. In between, handle with oily sweaty hands, repeat, etc. Basically, the finish is what happens naturally with time. After some rust has developed here and there, it is lightly sanded off (about 400grit?), and then oiled lightly. . It leaves a mottled bright and brown patina. To hurry the process, you can sponge on the brown sludge that occurs when too much iron is added to aquafortis.
Holding pistols in the vise is a tough one - I shape the forestock first, then use shaped blocks to grip the forestock while shaping the handle.
Best,
-Eric
