How does a Damascus refinish affect desirability?

[Craig Larter]

If a Damascus barreled Parker has been properly restored by the likes of Breck Gorman does it affect the desirability of the gun in your opinion? Negatively, no change or positively?

[Reggie Bishop]

My very "general" response is that I prefer the condition of any barrel type to be in relatively the same condition as the rest of the gun. For example, if a gun has no case colors and the wood is worn I don't care for new finish on barrels. It doesn't look right to me.

[Dean Romig]

I think refinishing/restoring composite barrels, as long as they were so badly worn or covered in crud that refinishing was warranted, can only increase a gun’s worth. Even if the rest of the gun shows wear I think it is a sign of respect to the gun and to those who created those beautiful barrels to bring out their original beauty.





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[Craig Larter]

Dean yes I was thinking about ugly barrels that detract from the overall look of the gun not nicely worn barrels. Keep the character of the gun original as much as possible but correct the ugly. Normal wear and tear is not ugly. However, some feel keep the gun original no matter what.

[Brian Dudley]

I think that a properly done damascus refinish does not really look out of place on a gun. Especially a hammer gun. The key is it it not being too high contrast.

[Stephen Hodges]

I think the reality of these guns is they are all getting old and a few tweaks to keep them looking and functioning well may be needed, not akin to a new knee or hip, LOL

[Bruce Hering]

I am a lover of Damascus barrels and Damascus in general. Sooooo, if the barrel could use some TLC to bring out the pattern (read Mr. Gorman), I am all for it. Now, if the gun were a significant addition to the knowledge base and had history, then I might be hesitant based on its provenance

Most of my Parkers etc. fall into the "using" category so I treat them carefully as I want.

Just my thoughts.

[CraigThompson]

I’m not big on any “re” word . But I have three Parker’s that were totally redone before I acquired them . The first 8 gauge I got , the VHE 12 skeet I got a month or so ago and a DH 12 pigeon gun from the last Poulin auction . I’ve also had Breck refresh the barrels on the DH 10 I shoot regularly . It is what it is , I’d 100% rather have an honest unabused 40% original finish gun over a redone gun , however they aren’t making anymore and I want them to SHOOT them and of course as an investment of sorts .

[Daryl Corona]

I had a member and a friend here do a set of barrels, damascus, for me and I asked him if he could do a partial refinish for me to match the rest of the patina on the gun. It turned out perfect and you could never tell they were ''refreshed".

So to answer your question Craig, no it doesn't bother me but then again I'm not a purist as those barrels are beautiful when done properly.

[Breck Gorman]

https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/magazine/barrel-browning

This short article is good. Barrel refinish should compliment the overall condition of the gun, and not stand out on its own. My goal is to make a 100+ year old neglected, abused barrel look and last like a 100+ year old well cared for barrel.

[Matt Buckley]

I purchased a 12 gauge hammer gun from a fellow member with a set of 30" twist barrels refinished by Breck and they are beautiful and I think make the gun worth more to me than the same barrels in rough shape on the outside. It's always interesting to me how over here in America we as collectors are so big on "original" while when I look at doubles from England I think we hardly ever and may be never buy an original gun that hasn't been refinished/refurbished at some point. It is common practice across the pond to send in your guns yearly for cleaning/refurbishing. And they know how to put together a pretty nice double barrel across the pond.

[Bill Murphy]

I wish I had a canned reply about British guns and British gunsmiths and their treatment of bores and gun finish. British gunsmiths regularly bore out barrels and grind the finish off of barrels to the point that British auction houses are flush with fine guns with "barrel walls under safe limits" or whatever other terms they use for trashed out guns. Holt's auction is full of such guns. Trashed out, refinished guns are no more accepted in Great Britain than they are here in the USA. A clean, original Purdey sells for thousands of dollars more than a trashed out, refinished Purdey. Yes, in GB just like in the USA.

[John Dallas]

Don't all British guns have to be reproofed (reproved?) before sale?

[Austin J Hawthorne Jr.]

Just my opinion, but, aren't most of the better British guns refinished/refurbished by the guns maker, in most cases, as opposed to some of the non-professional ( restorers ) that attempt to "pretty up " some trashed out guns that show up for sale from time to time over here? Thin barrels are another matter but I doubt that the better British "gunmakers" would re-bore a barrel to the point that it would not pass proof, and then send it along to its owner. Independent gunsmiths, however, may have a different take on the matter of thinning the barrels to clean up the bore of a customers gun.
Refurbishment, to me, is not a problem as long as it is done tastefully and the safety of the gun is not compromised.

[Mike Koneski]

I think the reality of these guns is they are all getting old and a few tweaks to keep them looking and functioning well may be needed, not akin to a new knee or hip, LOL

Steve, just because we're not 100% original condition doesn't mean we're not "classics"!! :rotf::rotf:

[Milton C Starr]

For me it really depends, my favorite are these ones that arent quite brown but have what I would call a honey color to them or patina especially chain damascus I dont think the is a better looking type and finish than this for damascus.

My grade 2 barrels have a similar color and I have seen a few other Parker hammerguns with similar colored barrels.

[Ken Hill]

Don't all British guns have to be reproofed (reproved?) before sale?

No they don't need to be reproofed (reproved). They have to be in proof for sale in the UK and there are rules to follow (e.g., chambers not lengthened, walls within 10 thousandth of last proof, choke tubes not added). They are supposed to be in proof when sold in the UK to a foreign customer.

Ken

[Bill Murphy]

There is a gun in Holt's auction with .012 wall thickness in one barrel. It passed proof and is being sold as "in proof". British proof is a crock. Of course, that is not what we're discussing here. We're discussing the poor quality of UK gunsmiths who grind out barrels, inside and out, to the point that auctioneers have to describe a fine gun "wall thickness below recommended minimums".

[Ken Hill]

There is a gun in Holt's auction with .012 wall thickness in one barrel. It passed proof and is being sold as "in proof". British proof is a crock. Of course, that is not what we're discussing here. We're discussing the poor quality of UK gunsmiths who grind out barrels, inside and out, to the point that auctioneers have to describe a fine gun "wall thickness below recommended minimums".

Probably a good one to stay away from unless you want to sleeve or rebarrel the gun.

Ken

[Craig Larter]

I sure would like to get back to my original question/topic.

[Frank Srebro]

Let's not forget that composite barrels on American double guns were generally finished black/white and that brownish barrels result from conversion of the black ferric +3 oxide to ferrous +2 oxide that’s commonly referred to as rust. That generally happens from long term exposure to water/humidity. Here's an original Lefever that came from a dry climate area.

[Garry L Gordon]

Steve, just because we're not 100% original condition doesn't mean we're not "classics"!! :rotf::rotf:

Yes, and there are those with replacement parts, eh, Mike? I still think we are "originals.":rotf:

I like Mr. Gorman's answer best.

[Mills Morrison]

If the barrels need to be refinished, refinishing probably adds the cost of refinishing. If they don’t need to be refinished, probably zero.

[Joe Graziano]

Let’s not forget, a whole lot of shotguns had their Damascus barrels blacked over to look like fluid steel after fluid steel became popular. We’ve all seen them. I have a beautiful old Thomas Horsley with blacked Damascus barrels. I’ve chosen to leave them as is. However, removing the black and brining out the Damascus pattern under it certainly would make it more correct and I believe, add value. I simply wish to keep the gun as it came to me and enjoy it. To me, after learning some hard lessons, “just shoot it” is my default unless the gun is unsafe in its current condition.

[Mike Koneski]

I think the value is in the eye of the beholder. If you’re looking for a 100% or as close as possible condition then refinished bbls may not float your boat. If one is looking for a quality shooter or just a nice looking gun then it shouldn’t matter.

[Craig Larter]

I think the value is in the eye of the beholder. If you’re looking for a 100% or as close as possible condition then refinished bbls may not float your boat. If one is looking for a quality shooter or just a nice looking gun then it shouldn’t matter.

Very well stated Mike.

[Craig Budgeon]

In the past I have witnessed an American double which had been completely refinished except for the damascus barrels. The barrels retained about 85 -90% original finish and were left as is. The appearance of the assembled gun was a huge disappointment.