Shotgun Barrel Rebluing/Blacking - Recommendations

[welshwarrior]

Paul Stevens: top 10 gunsmiths - The Field

If your barrels need blacking, browning or blueing, Paul Stevens is your man, and he has an exceptional gunsmithing heritage, too. Barrels at the ready...

www.thefield.co.uk

I had several of my rifles re-blacked by Paul Stevens. He did a fantastic job, and this is where most of the gun trade goes.

They tend to use one or the other especially the London trade. Both brilliant craftsmen

 

[enfieldspares]

My take on most guns is that they only new once. Things like worn bluing should be there because they have been used and carried. An old gun with honest wear is absolutely fine. It’s part of its charm. An older gentleman or an older lady wear their age very well and with style. Same with old boats, cars and landrovers. I think it’s terrible. I think it’s really sad.

I'd disagree with that. Blacking, or bluing, is there as a controlled rusting to prevent undesirable rusting. If the metal has worn bare such that there is a risk of even a light rusting taking hold it needs redoing.

The same as paintwork on a house soffit or the paintwork on metal railings if it degrades such that what is underneath then is exposed to the the bare wood or the bare metal it needs redoing or renewing if it cannot be "touched up". My late father's gun made in 1919 is now wearing its second reblack on the barrels, guard, top lever and triggers. So blacked once when new in 1919, done again for a first reblack in the late 1960s or early 1970s and then done (the second reblack) in the late 1990s or early 2000s.

All tools that have served you well deserve also being served well by you. And when done properly...which may mean that any engraving needs to be picked up during the process so don't skimp on the overall costing...it looks correct.

 

[cjm1066]

AYA don't have the best bluing when new, after 30 years reblueing a second hand gun is far cheaper than spending a lot more on a tidier example.

 

[Heym SR20]

I'd disagree with that. Blacking, or bluing, is there as a controlled rusting to prevent undesirable rusting. If the metal has worn bare such that there is a risk of even a light rusting taking hold it needs redoing.

The same as paintwork on a house soffit or the paintwork on metal railings if it degrades such that what is underneath then is exposed to the the bare wood or the bare metal it needs redoing or renewing if it cannot be "touched up". My late father's gun made in 1919 is now wearing its second reblack on the barrels, guard, top lever and triggers. So blacked once when new in 1919, done again for a first reblack in the late 1960s or early 1970s and then done (the second reblack) in the late 1990s or early 2000s.

All tools that have served you well deserve also being served well by you. And when done properly...which may mean that any engraving needs to be picked up during the process so don't skimp on the overall costing...it looks correct.

Bluing doesn’t prevent rust. If you have bits of furniture or barrels that you are rust bluing, you will know that rust takes hold very quickly even surfaces where is already substantial levels of blue.

What prevents rust is a layer of oil or wax or mix of both that prevents the oxidation. The insides of gun barrels are not blued, and usually the flats and face of the barrels are not blued. A light oiling prevents rust.

The best oil for rust prevention clings to the surface, or dries leaving a protective film.