Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Gun Building and Repair => Topic started by: mario on May 27, 2008, 07:37:44 PM

Title: Blueing a barrel
Post by: mario on May 27, 2008, 07:37:44 PM
The barrel on my new trade gun feels perfectly smooth to the touch but I can see the tiny rings left from turning it on the lathe.

Should I do something about them or will the blueing not be affected?

Mario
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Post by: Captchee on May 27, 2008, 08:20:33 PM
well initially it wont effect the bluing but as the bluing wears you will begin to see it again .
What your probably seeing is the marks left by the heat of the turning
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Post by: jasontn on May 27, 2008, 08:38:50 PM
you can use wet dry sandpaper to smooth it up. what kind of blueing you plan on using?
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Post by: Captchee on May 27, 2008, 08:48:40 PM
if these are actual scratches use a dimond hone to clean them up
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Post by: mario on May 27, 2008, 08:50:59 PM
They don't seem to be actual scratches. Can't feel them with my fingernail, but I can see them.

Using B/C stuff.

Mario
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Post by: jasontn on May 27, 2008, 08:53:28 PM
i have had some good luck using that blueing. i heat the barrel up after i clean it good and the blueing takes very well to it. you like the kit you got? i had about forgot you were buying one from him.
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Post by: mario on May 27, 2008, 09:06:47 PM
Quote from: "jasontn"
you like the kit you got? i had about forgot you were buying one from him.

Was an "in the white" gun, not a kit. But yes, I happy so far. He did exactly what I asked and it came out to less than $1000 and only 3 months wait.

I'm going to try and put a photographic record of the finishing process together.

Wish me luck!

Mario
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Post by: jasontn on May 27, 2008, 09:08:10 PM
apply yourself to it like you the rest of your work at this and im am sure youll do fine. not a bad price or time either. what size/caliber is it?
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Post by: jbullard1 on May 27, 2008, 09:26:09 PM
Good luck with the finishing
Just take your time and it will turn out fine
I bought some curly maple on e-bay when I was working on my shotgun and used it for practice with stain and finish techniques
It was easier for me to mess up on a 10 dollar piece of wood than a 150 dollar piece
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Post by: mario on May 27, 2008, 09:32:52 PM
Quote from: "jasontn"
apply yourself to it like you the rest of your work at this and im am sure youll do fine. not a bad price or time either. what size/caliber is it?


Slow and steady wins the race... :lt th

The first event I want to really use it for isn't until September, although I won't go THAT slowly...


It's got a 46", 20 bore/.62 cal barrel.

Mario
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Post by: jbullard1 on May 27, 2008, 09:37:56 PM
Need we say more Mario

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Gifs/pictures.png) Of The Progress Please !!
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Post by: mario on May 27, 2008, 11:22:41 PM
Quote from: "jbullard1"
Need we say more Mario

(http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u247/jbullard1954/Gifs/pictures.png) Of The Progress Please !!

I know, I know...

Mario
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Post by: Minnesota Mike on May 28, 2008, 11:07:58 AM
Steel wool will also help shine the barrel down an dremove some of those very slight scratches you can see, but not touch.

Are you actually blueing or browning the barrel for a trade gun?

Mine is also 20 ga/62 cal, but went with shorter 36" barrel since that was more common by 1800s.

r/
MM
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Post by: RichW on May 28, 2008, 11:22:04 AM
For Mario's era, blue is correct.  For the NWCo era, brown is correct.  After that, blue.  Simple, eh?   :lol:  :lol:

There's no mystery here, really... the trade guns were following the overall trend in English gun making.
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Post by: R.M. on May 28, 2008, 11:27:53 AM
Those rings might be best removed by draw-filing/sanding. Whatever you call it for a round barrel. It sounds like they're radial, and you should want then longitudinal/lengthwise. I think!  :?
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Post by: RichW on May 28, 2008, 03:23:27 PM
Yep.  Of course it's easier to do before the lugs and sights are on.   :lol:

I like the black wet/dry paper.  320, 400, 600 (and 1500 for a bright gun).
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Post by: mario on May 28, 2008, 06:01:09 PM
Quote from: "Minnesota Mike"

Are you actually blueing or browning the barrel for a trade gun?

Mine is also 20 ga/62 cal, but went with shorter 36" barrel since that was more common by 1800s.

Blue. From an order dated 1770 by Sir William Johnson that listed trade guns with blue barrels for 14 shillings.

I wanted a 48" barrel to match some of his other orders, but 46" is as long as he can get them.

Mario