"G" grade Parker finish

[B. Dudley]

Original finish by Parker would have been blackened (Black and White), much like Angel's photos show. Original Browned finish is more of an English thing.

The way you see barrels today with original finish that mostly silver with the pattern still shwoing is just natural wear of the original finish. The pattern becomes less and less visable over time, unless properly cared for.

Some prefer Browning for restoring the pattern because it still gives an antique look. And a good deal of original finishes have been seen that have a Browned look because that is how they have naturally aged.

[OH Osthaus]

as Brian states and Angel's refinish shows - the black & white is the original finish - BTW -the difference is a matter of boiling the browned barrel during the finishing process to change the brown to black. Even a popular British browning formula will turn black (according to the late Tony Treadwell) when boiled

here is a sample some remaining original finish protected by the forend -- faded but you can see the black.

[BillStribling]

Thanks for all of the replies. If I can figure out how to do it, I'll send some pics of my Parker.