Galazan .410 bbls for 28 ga Reproductions

[Chuck Heald]

Dean,
It's Turnbull's finishes on the receiver, forend and triggerguard. The prep was by a friend. Also, the stockwork was by a friend using my blank.

[Dean Romig]

I'm impressed with the stock. The wood is very nice but I'm more impressed with the attention your stocker paid to executing the detail of an original Parker Bros. stock - the fluting at the nose of the comb and the delicate lines at the wrist and throughout the stock. Can we see a better picture of the checkering pattern?

[Autumn Daze]

Chuck,Thanks for the reply.Your damascus sample is very very nice!

[Chuck Heald]

Dean,
Here you go.

[Chuck Heald]

Dave,
That sample is from a section of what was believed to be Lefever barrels. Based on the pattern, I'd say at least F grade or higher. It's a very fine pattern and presents better in an enlarged picture like the post I made. I think one or two more cycles of blueing and etching/carding would darken the pattern a bit more.

I basically rust blued 4-5 cycles with Pilkingtons as normal (rust, boil, card), then used an etch bath of circuit board etchant (40-45% ferric chloride out of the bottle) diluted 6 parts water to one part CB etch. Dip the barrel (sample) in the diluted solution of etch for 10 secs, flood with water and card (scrub) with 000 steelwool. Repeated 2 more rust blue cycles, then etch/card. That was about it by memory. You can keep going on the blue/etch/card cycles and it darkens each time. The number of times you rust blue between etches seems to be forgiving.

[Dean Romig]

Chuck, the checkering is true to Parker Bros. grade 2 perfectly. What a nice job he does!

I wish I had the nerve to try refinishing Damascus barrels...

[Chuck Heald]

Dean,
Overall, I think my friend does a better quality job on the stocks than most of the low and mid grade vintage guns had from the factory.

On the damascus finishing, if you're already doing rust blueing, the damascus refinishing is just a little more effort, but not too technical. At least in my one part sample experience.