Author Topic: Barrel finish special effects (Read 5157 times)

JohnnyFM · « **on:** February 18, 2019, 02:45:52 PM »

I have seen a kinda cool finish some contemporary gun stockers are using on the barrel of their guns. It’s that sorta blue swirl effect like “marbled” finish that is deliberate, not accidental.
Anyone have an idea how it is applied?
I have seen original blued (and browned) finishes on later firearms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries with similar design.
How historically correct is it for the 18th century?

bob in the woods · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2019, 04:14:46 PM »

Are you referring to faux damascus ?

Mauser06 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2019, 12:00:54 AM »

Or something like that?

JohnnyFM · « **Reply #3 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:12:14 AM »

Perhaps I am? What i’ve Seen has a random pattern but yes, I guess it sorta resembles “Damascus”

jerrywh · « **Reply #4 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:36:06 AM »

The photos above don't look anything liked Damascus. There are many diferent types of Damascus.The photo below is the old time stub Damascus found on many old English Firearms.

Mauser06 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 23, 2019, 10:20:02 AM »

For the record.....I never claimed my finish to look like Damascus.... simply posted them to see if that was what Johnny was looking for.

JohnnyFM · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2019, 10:35:02 AM »

Yes i’m aware what true Damascus is and what many people call Damascus is actually twist. But that’s a subject for another thread. Thanks Mauser for posting your pics. I understood what your intentions were.
I guess my question wasn’t clear enough. My fault.
I was just curious about the technique some contemporary makers have used to create a random, multiple toned , faux non-pattern pattern on their bbls. I could speculate and guess that it’s a deliberate uneven application of cold blue but I honestly don’t know and thought perhaps some here would share their knowledge

JohnnyFM · « **Reply #7 on:** February 23, 2019, 10:41:33 AM »

I forgot to add, yes what Jerry posted is similar to the finish I have seen except the color is more blue (dark) to pewter (light). In other words it looks fresh or “new” but it is not as uniform as twist and obviously cannot recreate the intricate patterns of Damascus.
I don’t want to post pics of examples account I don’t own the rights and I certainly don’t want anyone to interpret my inquiry as a criticism

Kindest regards

Bigmon · « **Reply #8 on:** February 23, 2019, 02:51:39 PM »

smart dog · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2019, 03:06:07 PM »

Hi,
Is this more like you had in mind?

dave

JohnnyFM · « **Reply #10 on:** February 23, 2019, 03:32:31 PM »

Yes sir that’s it

Old Ford2 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 23, 2019, 04:04:58 PM »

Quote from: smart dog on February 23, 2019, 03:06:07 PM

Hi,
Is this more like you had in mind?

dave

NICE JOB!
Please share your method to get such a fine finish.
Fred

rick/pa · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2019, 04:31:17 PM »

I did this back in 1978 on a Jaeger I built. Not many people were into Jaegers back then and I wanted to do something to set it apart. I tied 12 strings about 6" long to a piece of dowel rod 1/4" apart. Poured some cold blue in a shallow dish and soaked the strings in it. I then held the dowel in one hand and the ends of the strings in the other and worked along the barrel pressing the strings on the barrel, dowel on one side, ends on the other. This left cold blue marks on the barrel. Let it sit for a day or two, then used Plum Brown over the marks. I was just starting to build back then and didn't know a whole lot, don't know if I'd do this today but there it is. Remember this tip is worth exactly what you paid for it.

mtlonghunter · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2019, 05:46:03 PM »

A simular look to Bigmon's picture can be had using mustard.

jerrywh · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:00:52 PM »

Wow. People here are sure defensive. Peace my friends. One thing wrong with the internet is it is so easy for something to sound hostile when you cannot here the tone of someones voice etc etc.
I first did fake Damascus in 1961 on a long rifle. There are at least three ways to do it.
I guess someone should do a tutorial on it. smart dog's looks good.

Daryl · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:04:49 PM »

Personally, I prefer this one.
Quite similar to Jerry's, just a different 'browning'.
Dave's appears very close - well done.

jerrywh · « **Reply #16 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:09:28 PM »

GEE Daryl. That's purdy.

Marcruger · « **Reply #17 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:23:58 PM »

I have been around some fine Damascus barrels, and they have a definite look. I cannot help but think that when these were made they did something to enhance the "Damascus" look to show off the fancy swirls in the metal. After all, during the transition time around 1900, some makers charged more for Damascus than fluid steel.

I agree that most of what folks are referring to here are really pattern welded "twist" barrels. The faux ones shown here could be mistaken on first glance for a worn twist barrel. It does make an attractive finish to my eye.

I know many cap lock muzzle loading shotguns were done with twist barrels. I have not seen an original period pattern welded rifled barrel to my knowledge. Has anyone else seen a pattern welded rifle barrel? I am guessing the increased pressure of a ball engaged with rifling makes a twist barrel less suitable for rifled than a smoothy shot barrel?

I can always use more knowledge! :-)

God Bless, Marc

Marcruger · « **Reply #18 on:** February 23, 2019, 09:24:55 PM »

And.....I agree. That barrel from Daryl sure is attractive! :-)

Goo · « **Reply #19 on:** February 24, 2019, 05:59:21 AM »

Quote from: mtlonghunter on February 23, 2019, 05:46:03 PM

A simular look to Bigmon's picture can be had using mustard.

Facinating ! How does this work? Application etc.

Ky-Flinter · « **Reply #20 on:** February 24, 2019, 08:26:07 AM »

Quote from: smart dog on February 23, 2019, 03:06:07 PM

Hi,
Is this more like you had in mind?

dave

Dave,

Please share your technique. If you don't want to reveal your secret here, just PM it to me. I promise I will never tell.

-Ron

jerrywh · « **Reply #21 on:** February 24, 2019, 09:57:10 AM »

Smart dog. He's gonna tell your secret.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #22 on:** February 24, 2019, 03:14:12 PM »

I hope he shares his secret.....I'm redoing my pistol right now and that look is really cool!! Besides...it would draw your eye away from my mistakes!!

smart dog · « **Reply #23 on:** February 24, 2019, 03:56:52 PM »

Hi,
Click on the link and scroll down through the comments to the one where I describe my method.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=8046.msg75980#msg75980

It takes patience and when I do it again, I will only immerse the barrel in ferric chloride for 15 minutes.

dave

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2019, 05:36:57 PM »

I get that effect when I forge a barrel out of coat hangers. Wife really gets PO'd though when everything is laying on the floor due to that lack of hangers though.....

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Author Topic: Barrel finish special effects (Read 5157 times)

Davemuzz