re-blueing Damascus Barrels

[boothill bones]

Hi All;

         I have been lucky enough to pick up an original  Colt SxS hammer. The wood is in great shape and was thinking about reblueing the barrels.

         Now I have already had the debate here at the club regarding weather to reblue or leave it as it. However, while everyone seems to have an oppinion no one really Knows the benifits vrs. the risks.

        Anyone know of someone who does this work that I can contact whow would be able to offer an Expert opinion....



      thanks

                     bones

[Mako]

Bones,
The problem is that it has soldered barrels and I would be willing to bet it isn't silver or high temperature solder.  The only safe way to blue the barrels would be with Belgian or rust bluing.  Those types are extremely durable and beautiful, but require a lot of hand work.  The barrels never see a higher temperature than boiling water in those processes.  Some rust bluing processes involve applying the solution and then placing the parts in a high humidity cabinet which is even cooler.

In short, you can't do the cheaper black oxide salt process that most firearms are "blued" with.  The salt bath will disolve the solder.  You can get some cold bluing solutions from Brownells (not touch-up bluing) and they actually do a respectable job on a Damascus barrel.  Remember though, the tristed iron will show through on these kinds of finishes.  Some find it quite attractive, others want a blacker finish. For a cowboy gun it should look great.

Before you do anything you might consider just leaving it as it is.

Regards,
Mako

[Delmonico]

Re-Bluing is the wrong term, Damascus barrels were browned.

[Dalton Masterson]

I would vote for leaving it as is, BUT... its your gun.  I agree, a nice browning would look awesome. Rust bluing would look nice too, ESPECIALLY if the damascus pattern were to show thru.

I would suggest getting hold of Lonnie at Run N Iron.
www.runniron.com
They do wonderful rust bluing, and can completely restore your old beauty. I live fairly close to them and often stop in to see the newest project. I have seen some basket cases come out as works of art.

DM

[Mako]

Re-Bluing is the wrong term, Damascus barrels were browned.

Delmonico,
I'm not intending to be contrary but Damascus barrels were both "blackened," and "browned."  The term used by the English gunmakers was "Black and White," or "Brown and White" when describing the finer Damascus finishes.  They both involve what we now call a "rust bluing" process.  You can get either a brown or a very dark blue black finish using the same chemicals, it's all a matter of the amount of "carding" (abrading, buffing, smoothing and removing layers of the oxide surface between coats) the time in between coats, the thickness of the oxides, the initial surface finish and the final surface finish on the piece.

It is rare to find an old Damascus barrel that hasn't taken on a browned patina.  Because Damascus steel was prized they put a minimum of finish on it to accentuate the Damascus pattern.  However there are examples of what was called "Black" finished Damascus barrels.  "Black" finishes were just denser oxide surfaces, with that you covered up the wavy Damascus pattern.  With the thin finishes they almost always take on a brown patina, just as you see case hardened finished take on a patina over time.

If you're interested I can dig up some info including pictures of Damascus barrels with "Blackened" as well as "Browned" finishes.

Regards,
Mako

[Roosterman]

Blackening and browning are done the same way. With blackening the barrels are put in boiling water after the last carding. The boiling water turns the brown rust black. If you want brown color don't put them in boiling water.

[Mako]

Blackening and browning are done the same way. With blackening the barrels are put in boiling water after the last carding. The boiling water turns the brown rust black. If you want brown color don't put them in boiling water.

Roosterman,
You are correct sir...  Almost any rust "bluing" process can produce either a brown or a black/blue finish.  There  is a lot of misunderstanding about oxide finishes today, it's good to find those who understand it.

Have a great day,
Mako

[Roosterman]

Roosterman,
You are correct sir...  Almost any rust "bluing" process can produce either a brown or a black/blue finish.  There  is a lot of misunderstanding about oxide finishes today, it's good to find those who understand it.
Have a great day,
Mako

Comes from farting around with old guns for a living. www.fowlingguns.com