Barrel blueing, How traditional, How Much

[rrgr40]

Contrary to many traditionalist, I like a blued barrel with either iron, brass or silver furniture. I was wandering how many original builders blued there steel. I read that some gunsmiths in southwestern Virginia, eastern Tenn. and Kentucky were blueing in the late 1700's. What would be a decent price to for a 36 inch barrel to be hot blued? :hmm:

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Blued barrels (or in the white) are traditional. Browning did not come into general use until around 1800.

Try "Van's Gun Blue" if you follow the easy directions it will give a very deep blue black finish.

I do not follow Van's directions so far as heating the metal. I like to apply cold, then rub out with 0000 steel wool to achieve a well used gray color.

 

[C_Laubach]

(Barrel Bluing Documentation)
Here is an article take from the Va. Gazette of August 8, 1751
David and William Geddy smiths of Williamsburg, near the church, having all Manner of Utensils requisite, carry on the Gunsmith

 

[tg]

Good post, that is the earliest record of browning I have seen, the other was a 1790ish add in a Carolina newspaper.

 

[Zonie]

Interesting, that in 1751 they mention ".... or neatly varnished...."

At least in my mind, "varnished" means a coating of the finishing material, often applied with a brush or rag and left to dry.

Some of the people making guns these days, talk like a few coats of Linseed is all that anyone in the 1700's ever used.