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.
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