Barrel Painted

[Bill-52]

Not sure if this should be in Gun Building or Antique Collecting...

I have an antique flintlock that was shortened and converted to percussion.  At some point, the barrel was painted black.  The first photo is of the underside of the barrel, showing the unpainted portion covered by the remaining forestock and the painted portion.  Any suggestions on how to remove the black paint, thereby getting the barrel back to its original condition?

The second photo is the barrel maker's initials, "GS".  Any thoughts who this is?  This longrifle is from the Lancaster/Dauphin area.

Many thanks for any help, Bill

[Daryl]

I would think paint stripper would likely work about the best, without damaging/sanding the surface.
I've not done this to any barrel, let alone an antique.

[Scota4570]

IF lacquer was used lacquer thinner will dissolve it.

[Hungry Horse]

 That really doesn’t look like paint in the picture. Maybe its just the picture quality, but it looks more like old rust blueing to me.

  Hungry Horse

[Bill-52]

Hungry Horse, you're right, it does look like bluing, but it's not.  The underside of the barrel is a thin coat.  The paint on the top flats are mounded, just like paint.

Bill

[fahnenschmied]

No commercial paint stripper will bother the barrel.

[LynnC]

Oven cleaner ought to take that paint off.

[Bill-52]

Thanks for the suggestions and guidance.  I used Strypeeze and it worked like a charm.  Bill