To black or not to black, that is the question.

[WH308]

If all goes well in the next few weeks I should have a nice little sidelock back from Birmingham proof house. The stock is in very good shape and with a bit of linseed oil will be tip-top and the action is clean and bright.

The only part of the gun that looks its age is the barrel blacking. It is thin and worn around the muzzle and breech and I’m considering having the barrels re-blacked.

My question is, can a gun look too new and the barrels should be left as a testimony to its former life? Or will having the barrels done bring it back to its former glory and leave me with a quality gun that looks the part?

Does anyone have any before and after photos to sway me either way?

 

[Ronin]

Speak to Darren at Midcounties and have a look at their web page

 

[WH308]

Speak to Darren at Midcounties and have a look at their web page

That is where it would likely go if I decide to do it, they are only a short trip away from me.

 

[Will the chippy]

Personally, if it's all in good order Id like to see that it's had a life, a stock can be re oiled and any big dents could be steamed out to lessen them but the dents and scrape should remain and the barrels to show some wear.

 

[enfieldspares]

If all goes well in the next few weeks I should have a nice little sidelock back from Birmingham proof house. The stock is in very good shape and with a bit of linseed oil will be tip-top and the action is clean and bright.

The only part of the gun that looks its age is the barrel blacking. It is thin and worn around the muzzle and breech and I’m considering having the barrels re-blacked.

My question is, can a gun look too new and the barrels should be left as a testimony to its former life? Or will having the barrels done bring it back to its former glory and leave me with a quality gun that looks the part?

Does anyone have any before and after photos to sway me either way?

I had my late father's gun reblacked some past time ago. Black is a "protection" against rusting. Not a very good protection but better than metal worn back grey. Get it done but get it done to a quality it would have been done to when it was made. The problem is that, usually, you may need to also have the guard, top lever, any other also blacked ironwork also reblacked. Last reblacking over worn near illegible engraving looks awful. So if the rib engraving is worn you'll need that picked up again.

 

[Skinny Pete]

Were the barrels struck up for proof ? This is normally the case to remove any imperfections that the proof house would normally reject a gun for on viewing.

 

[WH308]

Were the barrels struck up for proof ? This is normally the case to remove any imperfections that the proof house would normally reject a gun for on viewing.

Now, that is something I don’t know. I wasn’t aware that they would need to be struck back for proof. If so that’s the decision made!!

 

[Skinny Pete]

The barrels don't always have to be , depending on their external condition. It's just rather frustrating to not do this and then be rejected on viewing. Means another trip to the proof house.

 

[Andy morton]

Speak to Darren at Midcounties and have a look at their web page

Beat me to it mate , Darren & Steph @ mid counties do a cracking job & will advise which way to go

 

[Heym SR20]

If the barrels are still blued, they haven’t been struck off. A good gunsmith should be wary of striking off barrels as it is removing material from the barrel walls, resulting in thin barrels.

Personally I would leave the barrels as they are. A gun is only new the once, and fine original condition is so much nicer than something that is trying to be made look new again.