need an opinion on these photos...

[ByGeorge]

Hi.
I'm new here, and although there's a better explanation in my intro, here's a short one.
I inherited an almost completed Jaeger rifle from my uncle, George. I've had it almost 10 years, unsure of what it should look like. stock is unfinished, steel parts are in the white, final assembly is needed. The stock is cherry.
We took the kids to Williamsburg this summer,and I was thrilled to find a couple early Jaeger rifles on display.
My question is about the the barrels and locks. Were they originally left white, polished, or browned and later "cleaned up" to look like this? I can't figure out if these are representative of the style, or usually fine rifles, owned by people who had $. I would love to finish my rifle in this fashion, but only if it's reasonable. My uncle was a stickler for historically-accurate asthetics, but he didn't leave any notes, so I don't know what he had in mind.
Thanks for any input.

**i apologize, photobucket is not working currently, but i will add the photos next chance i get. Makes the thread topic a little pointless, though**

 

[Rifleman1776]

Do a search here. There have been some discussions here recently about Jaeger rifles.
If you are willing to spend a little money, the book on Jaegers by George Schumway is excellent.
I have a saved very old American Rifleman article, with pictures about Jaegers. I'm happy to e-send it to anyone interested. Just send me, by private topic, your e-mail address.
To answer one question. Blueing and browning are both found on original Jaegers.
BTW, good for you. Finish it and enjoy.

 

[rich pierce]

Barrels were often charcoal blued, and locks were normally polished bright after case hardening.

 

[ByGeorge]

thanks for the info, here are the photos in question.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Barrels were often charcoal blued, and locks were normally polished bright after case hardening.

Yep, "often". Not always.
Those charcoal blued barrels and locks are things of real beauty when done right.
We used to camp next to John Braxton and I was blown away by the beauty of his Jaegers. Should have bought one but couldn't afford.

 

[Elnathan]

Judging by a quick glance through Steinschloss Jagerbuschen, featuring a bunch of German rifles in color, it looks like (excluding the gilded examples) bright locks were pretty much universal, while barrels were either bright or blued. Some barrels have a dark blue, while on others there is a color difference between the locks and barrels on some examples, and I am not sure if what I am seeing is the remains of a temper bluing or just the difference between the effects of age on a case-hardened lock and a soft barrel.