Steve's new GH

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Frank Cronin

I think you did very well Steve. Nice honest wear and character. Love the figure of the wood. GH's seem to always have a nice piece of wood on them. You can clean up the exterior of the Damascus barrels with some Kroil Oil and 0000 steel wool. Check the archives in the Damascus section to how to do this. After Kroil and steel wool, a coat of Forby's Tung oil help bring out the black and white pattern and protect it as well.

I also have to chime in regards opening chokes. Ed gave you some good advice. You mentioned you are going to reload anyway and by doing so you can load up some spreader loads to open up the patterns.

Congratulations.

I'll do it! Is Kroil Oil a hardwear store find, or gun store? I've never heard of it. I suppose that Forby's Tung oil is in the paint dept? I've got a few shallow worm holes in the stock. Have to do something with them too.

I'm going to enjoy this project.

Everyone suggests that I leave the chokes as is, and I'm going to take their advice. In bright sunlight one can see quite a lot of rust and staining. Pitting too here and there. Not much I can do about the pitting, but I'll touch the rust and stains some more with oil soaked 0000.

[Stepmac]

Well, I screwed the pooch. Took a little rust and blue remover and put it along the rib where there was some rust buildup. That stuff, where ever it touched the old damascus finish removed it. I mean right down to the metal. A bit of a mistake. Oh, well.

Is there a way for a person to bring back the damascus color that I can do in my workshop? I'd like to do it myself.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

Steve,

Kroil is made by Kano Labs and only available via direct order. Google them and they will happily sell you a can or a case! Kano makes some other very interesting "shop" products.

Semper Fi,
Mark

[Carl Erickson Jr]

Steve: If you find out let me know! The process cannot be that difficult. I would rather work at home than spend big bucks for a gun that would never be "collector".

[Bruce Day]

Re-damascus browning is a long, labor intensive, dirty process involving multiple chemical baths, rusting, carding, polishing and cleaning. It will require an out lay in chemicals, equipment and materials.

After having been in Dale Edmunds shop many times and posted numerous photos of the process and equipment on this site, I think this is beyond the capabilities of the casual hobbyist gunsmith, but good luck with the project.

Here is an example of chain damascus re-done by Dale. There are a few other gunsmiths who also do this work, among them, Batchelder and Kearcher.

[OH Osthaus]

Originally Posted by Steve McCarty

Well, I screwed the pooch. Took a little rust and blue remover and put it along the rib where there was some rust buildup. That stuff, where ever it touched the old damascus finish removed it. I mean right down to the metal. A bit of a mistake. Oh, well.

Is there a way for a person to bring back the damascus color that I can do in my workshop? I'd like to do it myself.

it can be done, the late Oscar Gaddy did a set of articles in Double Gun Journal years ago on how to color damascus barrels, and how to get the different colors

I bought a solution from a British restorer to try it myself -( on a British gun)
http://www.peterdyson.co.uk/

as with any barrel refinish, I expect to find the surface prep will be a major factor in the results.


and may I add
And seeing what Bruce posting while I was pecking at the keyboard - WOW those look great.

[ED J, MORGAN]

Bruce, Is that a flat rib?

[Bruce Day]

Ed, it is, but its a Meriden Arms gun that happened to be at Dale's when I stopped by. Not my gun. The Meridens were a second level gun but they used great barrels. I enjoy seeing chain damascus and wish Parker had used that design.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Mark Ouellette

Steve,

Kroil is made by Kano Labs and only available via direct order. Google them and they will happily sell you a can or a case! Kano makes some other very interesting "shop" products.

Semper Fi,
Mark

Thanks Jarhead!

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Bruce Day

Re-damascus browning is a long, labor intensive, dirty process involving multiple chemical baths, rusting, carding, polishing and cleaning. It will require an out lay in chemicals, equipment and materials.

After having been in Dale Edmunds shop many times and posted numerous photos of the process and equipment on this site, I think this is beyond the capabilities of the casual hobbyist gunsmith, but good luck with the project.

Here is an example of chain damascus re-done by Dale. There are a few other gunsmiths who also do this work, among them, Batchelder and Kearcher.

Thanks for the info.

I've seen this chain damascus pattern before. Isn't it grand! I just looked at my GH's barrels again and they are still in good original condition. I will probably have Kearcher "do" them someday. It is obviously way out of the relm of the home gunsmith. Frankly I'm happy with the gun as is. Least for now.