doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com black and white finishing

Here are a few pics of a barrel that I'm in process of refinishing. The gun is a Manufrance Ideal 16ga. with twist barrels. I bought this gun off our dear friend Klunkermeister(Russ Ruppel). I think a few more rusting and etching and they will look pretty good, then a good wax job. The other barrels I'm doing are Ithaca 20ga. grade 2. Fine damascus and are taking a little longer to develop. But I knew this going in. Let me know what you think. I seem to learn something new everyday from this or from Dale Edmunds. He has been very helpful and patient in answering any questions I may have.



Here is a pic of my home made checkering cradle I made this week. Works great!

battle, nice job on both. I wanted to try an 1895 L.C. Smith with Chain Damascus barrels. Does sanding bring out the pattern more? In places on my barrels the pattern isn't so pronounced as in other areas. Also you said a few more rusting and etchings. What will the total be? Will the etching solution make the white in the pattern stand out? Also did you use ferric chloride for the etching? I stopped because I couldn't find any. A few of the Radio Shacks I tried no longer carry it.
Again nice job, and I hope you don't mind the questions.
David

There's clearly a crolle pattern in those barrels-could it be One Iron Crolle or maybe "Twist Damascus", a One Iron-Twist laminate? And an excellent candidate to add to the PictureTrail! Thanks for posting it.

David.......no polishing(sanding)does not enhance the pattern. The polishing actually lessens the pattern. But, after you rust and etch the first time your pattern will(should)show. You could do a pre-etch and card before rusting, but I didn't. The pics are only of the twist(or some form of)barrels and generally twist are easier to finish than fine damascus. The Ithaca barrles arn't pictured because I feel they are only half there.
Yes.......I do use ferroic chloride. I called Radio Shack in my area, they had 3 bottle. They can check other stores inventory and tell you if another store in the area has any if you ask. I have bought 5 bottles and know where another 2 are.
No........I don't mind the questions. Dale is gracious enough to help me, I want to return the favor. But........I'm in no way on the level as Dale. But you have to start somewhere.

Drew........not sure my barrels are worhty of the picture trail, but if you want it's fine with me.

Thanks and the pic is up
I can zoom the first pic on ImageShack significantly and I'm pretty sure that is 'Single Damascus Twist'-two 1/2 scrolls in between thin layers of twist.

Oscar Gaddy's last article in DJG before his untimely death dealt with the original Parker black and white process and how he, Oscar had tested and modified it. Included in the article are several good pictures and comments on the use of an "etch", whether it be ferric chloride, dilute sulphuric acid, or other. As one who is trying to teach himself this process, I have observed a difference from barrel set to barrel set, even one barrel over another in the set, most likely due to the composition/%iron vs. steel. Finally, polishing/sanding obscures the pattern. The "etch" or "browning" solution causes it to reappear as a pattern as the iron is "blackened" at a differentialy rate to the steel in the barrel. Best, Dr. BILL

Dean Romig posted on another Forum that those are likely to be Bernard damascus. I think he's correct.