The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Richard Ranney on June 1, 2021, 9:12 pm

In restoring my Damascus 12ga I’m going to use Laurel Mountain browning. The barrels show some Damascus. Should I etch with acid prior to browning to bring it out more or just go to the browning process? I’ve searched everywhere but can’t find a clear answer for this. Here and every place else including knife sites. Thanks for any clarification.
Richard

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Mike Yonker on June 1, 2021, 10:57 pm, in reply to "Damascus confusion, help"
Edited by board administrator June 2, 2021, 7:03 am

Try Midway USA Youtube videos Larry does one on Rust bluing damascus barrels. If I recall the etch is the last of the process. Good Luck MY

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by David Williamson on June 2, 2021, 6:32 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Mike pointed out a very good video on how it is done.
The first thing is to sand the barrels but try and stay away from any lettering. I've read different topics but the finest sandpaper I use is 320 grit. When you are done the barrels are shiny an you really can't see a Damascus pattern.
Follow the video, sometimes you might have to go 8 or more rusting and etching to acquire the finish you want.

Damascus refinishing

Posted by Drew Hause on June 2, 2021, 7:07 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Bro. David's tutorial was lost when Picture Trail ceased operation.
There is another here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18MIvJwHhLh87zYiUDOQ4RkZKw7b42sUhVKz_9HMDdv4/edit

I would strongly urge you to practice on segments of junker barrels before attempting a refinish on your Smith's.

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Richard Ranney on June 2, 2021, 8:24 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Thanks gents. I had watched the video prior and read the article also but it just seemed odd to me that etching would be done after browning. I thought the acid in etching would remove the browning. Should I see any Damascus after browning or does this only occur after the etching? Thank you,
Richard

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by David Williamson on June 2, 2021, 3:35 pm, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Richard the etching does remove the browning/rusting but only on the non steel parts. So the etching highlights the Damascus pattern. I also use Laurel Mountain. The more times you rust/etch the more it stands out. On all the guns I did for myself I never gave them more than 5-6 rust/etch, any more it would distract and make the rest of the gun not look as nice if said gun wasn't totally refinished. Kind of like putting a dress on a pig its still a pig.

When I etched I used Radio Shacks Etchant, made for electrical circuit boards. I used the solution to about 15% with water. They say you should use distilled water but later on I was using my well water.

I don't have a picture of the etching tank but it is 4" PVC with a flat cap (glued) to bottom and a loose cap for the top. Tank is big enough for 32" barrels and some spare space.

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Louis Rotelli on June 2, 2021, 5:48 pm, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Etch with a ferric chloride acid first and after every 2 coats. Be sure to rinse the bbls after each acid treatment

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Richard Ranney on June 2, 2021, 8:08 pm, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Gentlemen thank you so much for the responses to this. It just confounded me about etching after browning. It just didn’t make sense to me. If etching removes too much browning can you re-brown for a darker finish? If not, should I go darker on the browning to make up for the removal that etching might make? I hate to drag this on but I’m close to having the barrels prepped to do this and just want to feel good about moving forward. Thank you,
Richard

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Drew Hause on June 3, 2021, 6:27 am, in reply to "Damascus confusion, help"

Original Smith pattern welded barrels were finished in "black & white", as were for the most part all the U.S. double gun makers' barrels.
Close to original chain damascus

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Richard Ranney on June 3, 2021, 3:31 pm, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Drew I’ve read all I can find on LC Smith Damascus, and seem to find contradictions or my lack of interpretation of data. I’ve read where original barrels made overseas were brown and I’ve been told on this site, by the markings on the bottom, that this barrel was made overseas. The web site shows my hammer serial number to have been made in either 1906 or 36. I’m hopeful that the Research Letter will be accurate and indicate the original color. I’ll be very disappointed if it doesn’t. Think I’ll wait for the letter before going forward with the process on the barrels. Thanks for your help.
Richard

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Ken Descovich on June 3, 2021, 6:30 pm, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

Richard,
The damascus barrel tubes were purchased overseas and matched and put together here in the states, maybe this is your confusion? All L C Smith/Hunter Arms Company barrels are blued not browned.
Ken

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by Richard Ranney on June 4, 2021, 3:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

OK guys, regardless of color, how do I keep the Damascus showing if I ‘blue’ these barrels? Please forgive my ignorance.
Richard

Re: Damascus confusion, help

Posted by David Williamson on June 5, 2021, 6:20 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus confusion, help"

You then etch them with ferric chloride.

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