The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
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Damascus Barrels Need Help!

Posted by Roger Dagen on August 18, 2023, 4:57 pm

Background: I bought a Grade 2 Elsie (1896) a few months ago. It was pictured and described as having blued bbls. Upon inspection by my gunsmith, he informed me that they were in fact damascus bls. I wanted to bring back the look of the damascus bbls, so we set about stripping the bluing. The solution he normally used to remove bluing didn't do a thing. He ended up buffing the bluing off of the bbls. Barrels were a flat grey color at this point with the damascus pattern barely visible. He than applied muriatic acid, thinking that would bring out the pattern. It did not. Further research indicated that the aggressive buffing may have "closed the pores", thus muting the damascus pattern. My gunsmith says that this problem has gone beyond what he has the equipment or skill to do. He says it may require sandblasting to prep the bbls for browning.

QUESTION: Does anyone in Elsie Land know of any process and/or person capable of doing the process needed to bring these barrels back to their former "browned" damascus look?

I would much appreciate any recommendations and or contacts that could help with this challenge.

Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!

Posted by Tom Archer on August 18, 2023, 11:11 pm, in reply to "Damascus Barrels Need Help!"

Assuming your gunsmith hasn't ruined those barrels, Buck Hamlin is about the best Damascus barrel guy I know. He's an expert in barrel repair and finishing; he has no email; his telephone is 636/479-4304

Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!

Posted by Roger Dagen on August 19, 2023, 7:15 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!"

Thanks Tom. I'll connect w/Buck.

Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!

Posted by Drew Hause on August 20, 2023, 7:35 am, in reply to "Damascus Barrels Need Help!"

Do the barrels have Chain damascus?

They probably looked like this before being blued

Bro. Buck 'browns' barrels

Chain refinished in "black & white"

Refinishing Damascus Barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on August 20, 2023, 7:42 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!"

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EGInyr3CsRadXkmTYRak4TWK-pCB3cN5Wgg51u_SnEM/edit

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18MIvJwHhLh87zYiUDOQ4RkZKw7b42sUhVKz_9HMDdv4/edit

Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on August 20, 2023, 7:46 am, in reply to "Refinishing Damascus Barrels "

Etching with muriatic acid may unfortunately produce this

RE: Damascus Barrels Need Help

Posted by Roger Dagen on August 20, 2023, 8:10 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!"

Drew: I have a picture of the bbls but am unable to upload it. They do look like "Fine three rod damascus" from this site: https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1UYzpTlAj4tQxjifoxxwfXeS7Sc477_J4h-FCIsm9rAA/pub

Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels

Posted by Roger Dagen on August 20, 2023, 8:12 am, in reply to "Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels "

Ouch! Fortunately, my smithy only tried the muriatic acid on a small patch on the underside next to the barrel flats/

Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels

Posted by Roger Dagen on August 20, 2023, 8:25 am, in reply to "Refinishing Damascus Barrels "

Drew: I've agreed to engage Buck Hamlim to redo these bbls per your recommendation. Do you think I should make him aware of Tom Flannigan's article from the link above, or is he well aware of that restoration process. As you said, he doesn't have an email address. I guess I'll print it and include that in the bbl package I send to him.

Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on August 20, 2023, 8:42 am, in reply to "Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels "

Bro. Buck is well aware of how to "brown" damascus. He has chosen not to do "black & white" however.

Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels

Posted by Drew Hause on August 20, 2023, 8:48 am, in reply to "Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels "

The other issue is wall thickness. I had a 1906 No. 0 with "Good 2 Rod Damascus" that had been blued. There had apparently been significant pitting on the surface of the barrels, which had been draw filed, and the remaining wall thickness was only .016" 14" from the breech.
Before spending your money and his time and effort on refinishing, he will certainly want to establish that the barrels are usable.

Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels

Posted by Roger Dagen on August 20, 2023, 11:11 am, in reply to "Re: Refinishing Damascus Barrels "

Drew: Good advice. Thx!

Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!

Posted by Fred Lima on March 12, 2025, 7:25 pm, in reply to "Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!"

FYI I tried to call Buck Hamlin and unfortunately he has passed away. RIP Buck.

Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!

Posted by David Williamson on March 13, 2025, 6:05 am, in reply to "Re: Damascus Barrels Need Help!"

Fred you can try Buck's grandson Trevor and see if he would do the job. His work is very good.
rice.trevorj@gmail.com

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