Question on Reblue of Ithaca NID with Ivory Beads
 

So, I have an Ithaca Gr II 16ga NID that has dual Ivory Beads.

The bluing where the gun has been held over the years is quite thin.

I am having a local gunsmith repair the trigger guard, but he did not feel comfortable rust bluing the barrels with the Ivory beads.

I am flip flopping on even having it done, as the barrels have a nice patina to them, and I just will have to make sure I don't let them sit if they get wet.

But... If when I get the gun back, and I decide to so more of a full restore of it, who would you guys recommend as a good gunsmith to do this. Is it possible to have done, withouth damaging the ivory beads, if it's not, that's a deal breaker as I'd rather keep the ivory beads, and the thin bluing.

Also, about how long a turnaround are people seeing for this sort of work. I assume I could just ship the barrels...

Barrels with bluing loss visible.

BTW, I apologize if I put this in wrong forum... I originally read it as Damascus barrels and Steel as in Steel barrels.

I've done lots of barrels with ivory beads with no issue -you shouldn't have any issue

I have done barrels with ivory beads, just have to take care when carding them off around the beads. I do it by hand, and not a wire wheel.

For the most part they make it through the rust bluing process just fine. They will usually darken some and discolor a little. And mid beads can be delicate and are easy to break off if care is not taken.

Thanks for input guys, I'm leaning on having it done, but if it meant losing the ivory beads I wouldn't even consider it.

Thanks again!

I've done many barrels with ivory beads. As Brian stated they will discolor a bit and darken to a yellowish color. I don't find this a problem on vintage guns as it looks like the patina of age.