doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com bill graham

Hi Ed.

Yes Sir, one hour ramp time up to 1400 degrees, and then a dwell time of 2 hours.

Some cook at 1350, some cook shorter, some longer, someone told me LC Smith cooked higher than 1400. Some say Parker cooked at 1400, and then dropped down to 1250 to help prevent distortion. I don’t know if the history has been captured accurately or not, but regardless, the extremely high degree of variability of this process is very interesting, and very frustrating.

I appreciate the positive responses to your inquiry, and the negative ones have a place here as well. Your link to my FB page has both as well.

That said, I do not think that anyone has enough of a first hand sample size of viewings to say that this or that maker always looked this or that way. Mr. Turnbull does fine work, however I have heard people say his outcomes are gaudy as well. DelGrego is often cited as a producer of authentic Parker colors, yet they look like cyanide colors sometimes, which I don’t think Parker’s had. Fine, that is a perspective, an opinion. Personally, I am not going to knock anyone else’s work, again, because of the variables involved and how hard it is to figure out what works with the materials on hand, geography, etc.

I would prefer that those who care sit down to a nice BBQ meal, and a sip or two of single malt at the next Southern and talk about it in person. Maybe even a panel discussion. Much more effective than Internet debate.

Mr Graham has done some work on a Kirkwood 3-BBL for me. His work was excellent and done in a timely manner.
I would not hesitate to use him again and highly recommend him.
Best
Bill McPhail

Ed, you can stop with your suck-up defense of Bill Graham. Anyone who's been on this site for any length of time knows his great talent. My comments were personal opinion based on 50 years of observed learning. Mr. Graham has responded here with graciousness. He doesn't need you to run interference on his behalf.
JR

I met Bill through a local internet forum and followed his work through that forum for a few years. When it came time to have my 1874 Parker underlifter restored i asked Bill to do the work. You had to get the barrels in the light just right to even tell that they were damascus, there was no CCH left, the wood was almost black and the grain was very hard to see. The barrels were pitted and dented too. What Bill returned to me is a work of art. The barrels are gorgeous with the pattern in perfect contrast, no signs of pitting or dents. The CCH is wonderfully done and the colors range from vibrant blues to subtle straws. The wood is like new where the grain can be seen and appreciated and finished in a nice hand rubbed glossy finish like I wanted.

One of Bills best qualities is that he freely shares his knowledge. I have experienced this in person and also observing the number of people that came to him during the past few Southern SXS shows.

When I have another gun that needs to be restored, it will be Bill doing the work.

Bill Graham is first class. I have used him to reblue barrels on a Lefever and then to totally restore an LC Smith Long Range. Highly recommended

Without pics, it didn't happen Cold1.

Agree wholeheartedly. A DelGrego refinished Parker can be spotted at 50 ft.
JR

53 feet

Let's try this pic posting thing here.

A few caveats, just a cell phone camera, im not a professional photographer, no special lighting just sunshine.

Very nice, Cold1. I'll raise a "cold one", in tribute.