Rust blueing

[Keith Doty]

Experience or opinions on rust blueing from Briley's in Houston? Got a set of barrels on one of my Parkers that I hunt with quite a bit, kinda looking on this as maintenance. Lots of sweaty hands, dog slober and dove feathers, love the little 16 ga. They're right here in town, my barrels don't disappear for weeks/months with the UPS guy.

[Harry Collins]

Not the answer to your question, but to me your gun has character. It is used and well taken care of. A new Parker my father found under the Christmas Tree shows its age. The checkering is barely visible and the blueing is worn off the barrels near the breach. When you pass it along to your children they will know the wear was from your hands.

[Keith Doty]

Yea, but Harry, this one was a bit of a jaded lady when I bought it! A VH 12ga. 1 1/2 frame 28" with surprisingly good case color left, somebody long ago cut the stock and installed a pad, probably held down a fence or two (dozen), dropped it in the bottom of the boat (couple of those dents you don't see but can just feel when you run a hand down the barrels), and lots of honest wear on the wood work. I'm short so the 13 1/2" pull is fine but this is an "all weather" hunter for me. As I said, I'm looking on this more as maintenance, not restoration. I figure there are many more years of bug spray, dog slobber, boat rash, etc. in the gun's future BEFORE my nephews ( I have no kids) put it away in their safes. I have little doubt that, even with my best efforts to take care of this gun, there will be plenty of character to illustrate the stories of hunting with Uncle Keith and my Smokey dog!
Funny thing about Parkers........with your eyes closed a VH points, swings, and shoots just like a gun with all the bling in the world.

[TxHuntermn]

I use brileys a lot, they will do a fine job.

[Keith Doty]

Thanks Mark. I was hoping to hear from somebody local (what's 200 miles in Texas?) who had used them. I've used them a number of times for service on O/Us and had some choke work done there but blueing, especially rust blueing, is another story.

[TxHuntermn]

I am (or was ) in houston almost every week either on busines. Or CCA business...have always had good results from Briley.

[Ruff Hunter]

Briley's is not about vintage gun. I would not recommend them for work on a Parker.

[Harry Collins]

Some 35 years ago when it was a death sentence to shoot Damascus I sent a GH to Briley for 20 gauge tubes. I was well pleased with their knowledge and care of my benchmark Parker.

[Keith Doty]

I'm curious, has the gentleman from Idaho had a bad experience with them? My experience with them has always been good as well as a number of acquaintances who are reasonably knowledgeable. I would think a quality rust blue job would vary very little from one good shop to the next.

[TxHuntermn]

I know at least three, VERY reputable double gun Smiths that send their bluing work to Brileys, in addition to honing work.