johnbaz Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Hi all I bought this Muzzle loading 'mascus barrelled gun with all the metal polished ready for refinishing, The chap gave me a bottle of Birchwood Casey plum brown for the Damascus barrels but what should I use for the locks, hammers, trigger guard, heelplate etc?? Were they Browned , blued or some different finish?? Some pics of the gun, from the internal diameter of the barrels this is a 16bore Someone polished it half to death so the chiselwork isn't very crisp Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 That is very nice. I think they would have been browned/rust blued but demonwolf444 is a good person to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 That is very nice. I think they would have been browned/rust blued but demonwolf444 is a good person to ask. +1 James (demonwolf444) is your man, a very helpful chap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welshwarrior Posted June 8, 2014 Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Most likely colour case hardened locks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbaz Posted June 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2014 Thanks lads I'll contact Demonwolf Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Is there any proof markings or anything, would be interesting to see where it was made. On these old guns they have often rusted right past any engraving, although that being said it has been a bit over polished. Woods is nice on it though, not in bad shape but not over done for the age of the gun! Browning the barrels will transform the gun; do you intend to shoot it? In the fourth picture down the rib looks a little loose at the breach. I don't know how good with metal work you are but old larry potterfield makes it look very easy - i have recently tried and feel flat on my face twice with it. And boy is it a mess to clean up. I think i will be paying someone to tackle this job for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbaz Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Hi James I took a few pics of the marks on the barrels (Not very good pics i'm afraid, the marks have been almost polished away by someone with arms like Popeye! I was told that it was Belgian by the chap I bought it from... The initials in the marks looks like BPC and I think the crossed things are guns!! (could be flipping swords too!! ) BTW, I bought it as a wall hanger and so it will never be fired again!, I don't think it or the person shooting would survive the ordeal!! Cheers, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbaz Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Hmmm Was told it's Belgian but I just found this in Google images!! It's British proof marked (Birmingham)!! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFN Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 Could It still be Belgium but proofed in England? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I have read documents that suggest that many country pursuits retailers imported cheap Belgian guns, which are either finished in England and proofed, or proofed and sold in England. My guess would have been Belgian made, my knowledge is far from comprehensive but the engraving is just not quite english.. although its hard to say when its been polished so much! I would assume that who ever told you it was Belgian knew more about it than we do! "William Calder 1849-1918: William came from generations of keen shooters and fishermen. His great grandfather had been an armed guard for smugglers at Balgownie, when they were unloading rum and gin at the Cot Town from a Dutchman, anchored at night off the Donmouth. Bill Calder founded a very successful sportshop in Guild St. A keen rough shooter and wildfowler, as well as a fitness fanatic, and Springer Spaniel breeder, he was well known for scrupulous honesty, aetheism and a belief in communism. He directly imported shotguns from Belgium, and was fussy about where his trout, salmon, and mackerel flies came from." So there is a possibility this is one such gun, either from W Calder or another outlet operation in the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbaz Posted June 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 I have read documents that suggest that many country pursuits retailers imported cheap Belgian guns, which are either finished in England and proofed, or proofed and sold in England. My guess would have been Belgian made, my knowledge is far from comprehensive but the engraving is just not quite english.. although its hard to say when its been polished so much! I would assume that who ever told you it was Belgian knew more about it than we do! "William Calder 1849-1918: William came from generations of keen shooters and fishermen. His great grandfather had been an armed guard for smugglers at Balgownie, when they were unloading rum and gin at the Cot Town from a Dutchman, anchored at night off the Donmouth. Bill Calder founded a very successful sportshop in Guild St. A keen rough shooter and wildfowler, as well as a fitness fanatic, and Springer Spaniel breeder, he was well known for scrupulous honesty, aetheism and a belief in communism. He directly imported shotguns from Belgium, and was fussy about where his trout, salmon, and mackerel flies came from." So there is a possibility this is one such gun, either from W Calder or another outlet operation in the same way. Ahhh! Thanks!! The chap I bought it from tried adding it to hid shotgun licence but the FAO told him it was an 'antique' and wouldn't put it on!! (Or that it didn't need to go on, I think because my friend wasn't going to use it!) He gave me an A$ sheet of paper with similar marks to those in the pic I found, I've no idea whay I've done with it though :wacko: Looks like i'll be digging the 'Guzunda' out now!! :D PS, Would 0000 grade wire wool be OK for the carding?? Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 It's a shame the action/lock plates etc have been polished so hard. Nice looking gun though, look forward to seeing it once it is finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
demonwolf444 Posted June 9, 2014 Report Share Posted June 9, 2014 To begin with i used burlap, you don't want anything too harsh; the key is in the name "SLOW rust browning".. so it does take a bit of time, just one of those slow processes thats pretty rewarding; rust card repeat.. Keep us posted. James. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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