doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com English Damascus barrels browned or blacked?

Were high end English barrels brown or black back in the 1870's? I'm contemplating having Mr. Bacheldor refinish my Holland, but he normally finishes them to be black and white- beautiful, but was that accurate for English guns?

Also, what are your thoughts as to value on a gun that has the barrels refinished, but the rest is original? The barrels likely have been cut, but otherwise the gun hasn't been messed with. I plan to own this one for a long time, but probably not forever.

Browned.

As Hammergun says Browned

Value wise, I would think the damage there was done when the barrels were cut

If the rest of the gun is original and the barrels match the general condition - not sure I see the point of refinishing one part to contrast with the rest of the gun

Good point OH. My thought is that I love the silver like patina on the action. The pattern on the barrels is very faded, and there are small rough spots on the underside of the barrels. I hesitate to say rust as its not the normal rust red, and yet feels slightly rough as you run your hands along it. Basically, the barrels seem to be in rougher shape than the action. The wood is decent and sound, though with handling marks from use. I've seen several Damascus barrels done by Mr. Bachelder, and they are beautiful. They would be a bit brighter than the rest of the gun... too bad you can't have a 3/4 new finish! Still, if it doesn't destroy the value I think it would make the gun more beautiful, and I'd still have it for a really great price.

But before I pulled the trigger, I thought I would ask gentlemen with me knowledge on the subject.

I have done quite a bit of Damascus refinishing in B&W and BLK& W. I have seen several
1880-85 bbl in BLK&W. Two were Greeners and one W&C Scott.
I believe from what I have seen, if they were to imported to the States they most likely were BLK&W. The ones that I am confident stayed in England were typically B&W.
I Have an original 1882 Vintage Greener hammer gun that has never been touched
and it is BLK.&W .
If it were mine I would have it done in BLK&W I think it gives it more character

What colour are they under the fore end now ?
& is that original ?
O.M

Steve Helsley (mostly) provided a nice survey of English damascus here
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20258609
Most were 'browned', but I agree with Leighton that guns intended for the U.S. market were usually 'black & white'

Drew, your references and pictures are awesome and make want to take out my father's 1870'sHodgson hammer gun again

Go with brown. It tends to be more muted in appearance and will blend in with the patina on the rest of the gun. Black and white on a well worn gun looks garish in my opinion. Keep it soft with he appearance of a gently worn gun.

Browning is a more involved procedure than Blacking. Since the barrels are not boiled or steamed, the rust is "tougher" and requires different carding and "pattern management" techniques, especially during etching procedures. It has a higher potential for fault occurance and thus requires a different "eye" to insure they don't happen. This is one, or possibly the main reason some folks don't offer it.

IMO, it's probably a more durable finish since the Brown form of rust is more stable, and properly done with appropriate contrast it's very beautiful.




Regards
Ken