Barrel finish special effects

[smart dog]

Hi Mike,
Are those used coat hangers that were trampled on for several months because you knocked them off the rack trying to hang up your pants and did not bother to pick them up?  I hear the trampled ones make better barrels.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

Hi Mike,
Are those used coat hangers that were trampled on for several months because you knocked them off the rack trying to hang up your pants and did not bother to pick them up?  I hear the trampled ones make better barrels.

dave

I find the black ones work better than the brassy colored ones. Never noticed a difference between trampled or not trampled. Next time I make a coat hanger barrel I'll do a tutorial.

[bowkill]

I have done something similar by soaking rope in vinegar and letting it set overnight after wrapping it tightly around barrel.. It will etch the steel with a grey looking finish that is very durable.. Just got to figure out what size rope gives the look you want?

[Ky-Flinter]

Dave,

Thanks for the link.

-Ron

[Bigmon]

I experimented on mine trying for a Damascus look, but it looks more like a rattle snale to me?  I think those other's look more like damascas?
Did mine with 1/4" strips of rag wrapped the full barrel lengthm then kept soaking with chlorox for a week. Got impatient and used some old tractor battery acid for a couple days.  After hard scrubbing with brillo, then some cold blue and rubbed back.  You can't just see the pattern, but it can be felt also.

[jerrywh]

Smart dog's way is good and precise but is slow.  I don't use Ferric chloride but it works well. I use nitric acid 7% for 10 minutes. Don't forget to plug the barrels or paint the insides with lacquer. There are two there variations for the process.

[Daryl]

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

Yes- I agree. That is a Joseph Lang Sporting Rifle, made in 1853.
This is the bore.

[Davemuzz]

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.....

Do you use an upscale wooden hanger.....or just a simple pine one?

[JohnnyFM]

Thanks for all the input . Much appreciated

[Curtis]

I've been working on a faux finish on a pair of barrels, just about done with them.  I'll post a thread on what I did to try and capture the appearance when they are ready. 

Curtis

[Daryl]

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.
God Bless, Marc

Read somewhere that Purdey made Damascus shotgun barrels up to 1927.

[jerrywh]

 Peter Dyson sells Damascus barrel blanks made by Purdey in the early 1900's but the pattern is not the stub twist pattern.

[longcruise]

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.....

Do you use an upscale wooden hanger.....or just a simple pine one?

Probably switches to those for the stock!

[JohnnyFM]

Once again I appreciate everyone’s input posting examples and techniques.  Curtis, I for one look forward to your update.

[WadePatton]

So about what time frame was this stub twist damascus type bbl being used for our guns of interest?

Thanks.

[smart dog]

Hi Wade,
It was not used on long rifles.  Stub twist barrels made from steel, iron, and horseshoe nails were made in Britain during the 3rd quarter of the 18th century and well into the 19th.  Damascus barrels go back to the 17th century (at least) initially  made in India, SE Asia, and Turkey but eventually made in Europe. Damascus barrels were popular on Belgian and other European guns particularly during the 19th century. 

dave