Damascus Barrel Etching

[B. Dudley]

Multiple brownings before boiling is more like the "Parker process" that Gaddy wrote a separate article on. This process had a boiling in logwood and ferrous sulfate at the end.

[Bill Graham]

Originally Posted by Brian Dudley

Multiple brownings before boiling is more like the "Parker process" that Gaddy wrote a separate article on. This process had a boiling in logwood and ferrous sulfate at the end.

In one of the records of Dr. Gaddy's account of the Parker Process, it states 7-10 rustings before converting the rust. Then the process states to etch for 5 minutes, and then you should be able to rub off with a finger tip what the etchant removes. Does this sound right? That's a lot of bluing done before the etching, so maybe 5 minutes is required.

I've got two sets going now. One I'm doing this way, the other is being done the other way Dr. Gaddy articulated, which is rust, boil, etch, rust, boil, etch, etc. I tried it multiple ways, with different variations here and there, but for these I'm going to be very strict and do a comparison between the two processes.

[Harry Collins]

I have confirmed that the above calculation for a 10% Ferric Chloride solution is correct.

Harry

[Harry Collins]

To paraphrase Thomas Edison, I haven't had any failures, but I've sure found a lot of ways not to refinish Damascus barrels. I have five sets going at present and three are ready for logwood boil to bring out the black/white finish. I will post more pictures when I finish these.

[Harry Collins]

Sorry about the poor photos. The shadows appear as if I did not get the rusting down to the ribs. I'll try and get better pictures after the boil.

[Bill Graham]

Originally Posted by Harry Collins

Sorry about the poor photos. The shadows appear as if I did not get the rusting down to the ribs. I'll try and get better pictures after the boil.

I hear you, Harry. Tough to get the photos right. I have a sister-in-law in that industry, and she's describing more photography gear than I want to invest in. Good luck sorting it out.

[Mike Franzen]

Looking good Harry

[Dean Romig]

I well remember those days. Tom did a set of Damascus barrels for me.

What was Jeff's big yellow lab's name? He was a real sweetheart of a dog - he liked everybody. Jeff did some fantastic nitre blueing too.





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[Tom Flanigan]

Dean and Bill.....Jeff's lab was named Luke. I loved that dog as if he were my own. Jeff used to take Luke for retrieving while on hunts with myself and Stoney, my wonderful setter. Luke would stay at heal while Jeff and I walked in for the flush. When Jeff gave him the command, he would rush in for the retrieve. Luke always tried to beat Stoney to the retrieve. One memorable day, Stoney beat Luke to a pheasant Jeff shot. Stoney started back with the bird and Luke, not to be denied, grab a hold of the bird also. They both came back to us holding onto the bird together. Jeff and I still talk about that duel retrieve.

Jeff has bought a farm in NH not that far from my home in Pawling, NY. We will be fly fishing the Housatonic River a lot this spring and hunting grouse in my home coverts in Pawling. The area I have hunted since childhood is still highly productive grouse cover due to the 1400 acres being selectively logged every ten years.

I am back in the game. I suffered severe depression for a number of years due to a family problem. I sold most of my Parkers to pay my son's hospital bills. I only kept a Holland and Holland 28 gauge and three Parkers. I gave a couple of Parkers to friends including a wonderful DHE 34" pigeon gun with high dimensions that I gave to Destry. I hope he is still using that gun.

I am now buying Parkers again and hunting again. I won't get up the eighteen Parkers I owned back in the day but it doesn't matter. I am happy and again doing the things I did as a boy.

Thanks for responding guys. It was great to hear from you.

[Dean Romig]

Tom, I'm so glad you're 'well' again. You used to be a regular here and I hope we hear from you more. Can you say where Jeff lives in NH? Both of my daughters and their families live in NH.

Best, Dean





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