Replacing gold inlay?

[Marplot]

Our 1850s German Jeager has had gold inlay in the top of the barrel that is now gone. Anyway I can put it back? Maybe somehow with gold leaf that could be pounded down into the inlay?

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I forget who made it, but there was a product that looked like a gold inlay. I think it was a powdered bronze. They also made on for a silver inlay. It went on kind of like nail polish. I used both the gold colored and silver colored products on a couple of guns. I used the gold for some engraving I had done on a work semi auto. That was about forty-eight years ago. The gold is still there slightly. I carry that particular gun every day. The bluing went quicker than the inlay coloring.

The gold came in a red and white box. The silver was in a silver- grey and white box. Bronze It, Silver It, or something very similar.

 

[aussie pete]

Our 1850s German Jeager has had gold inlay in the top of the barrel that is now gone. Anyway I can put it back? Maybe somehow with gold leaf that could be pounded down into the inlay?

By looking at the image, Marplot, I suspect that your incising may originally have been coloured with gold wash; lying somewhat lower than the surrounding area meant it was protected from the elements for longer. A true inlay requires the edges of the preparation to be undercut to keep the gold in place, very expensive. When a true gold inlay falls out of its prepared setting, no sign of gold remains. Before I became an English and Geography teacher, I did a stint of some twenty-three years in the military as a dental technician, where gold casting for crowns and inlays was my bread and butter. I ran your image by our school's art department, and most suggested that you give the incising a good clean with a stiff toothbrush, then apply a high-quality gold wash to the recessed letters.

High quality gold wash can be purchased at a good art supplier.

Cheers, Pete

 

[IanH]

The gold fill stuff in the red and white box is Forster brand, for what it's worth. I have no recommendations other than listen to eggspurts on these things.

 

[Master Blaster]

Mom used to use this stuff to restore old picture frames. No sure if suitable for OP's project.

 

[Whitworth]

I've used Rub and Buff on my Skeet 1100's "engraving". With upgraded wood folks thought it was an upscale model. It been on there for years and still holding up. YMMV

 

[Marplot]

By looking at the image, Marplot, I suspect that your incising may originally have been coloured with gold wash; lying somewhat lower than the surrounding area meant it was protected from the elements for longer. A true inlay requires the edges of the preparation to be undercut to keep the gold in place, very expensive. When a true gold inlay falls out of its prepared setting, no sign of gold remains. Before I became an English and Geography teacher, I did a stint of some twenty-three years in the military as a dental technician, where gold casting for crowns and inlays was my bread and butter. I ran your image by our school's art department, and most suggested that you give the incising a good clean with a stiff toothbrush, then apply a high-quality gold wash to the recessed letters.

High quality gold wash can be purchased at a good art supplier.

Cheers, Pete

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Thank everyone for your replies. You are correct. It is not incised. I have incised on several of my more modern shotguns. There is an undercut where the gold inlay is held in place. I had some fall out and it took a goldsmith to replace it.

The answer is a gold wash. Had not heard about this product. I guess I need to clean out any wax or oil, brush it on and perhaps clean up the above surface.

I guess I need to consult with Google and YouTube. I’ll be back and thanks again!

 

[Sam squanch]

BROWNELL’S had some kind of kit to restore the gold lettering.

 

[stank]

Brownells has or had a kit. Also check midway USA

 

[Nwtradegunner]

Brownells has or had a kit. Also check midway USA

Our 1850s German Jeager has had gold inlay in the top of the barrel that is now gone. Anyway I can put it back? Maybe somehow with gold leaf that could be pounded down into the inlay?

I went down to my “Man Cave” and dug out this stuff. I used years and years ago. Where it came from; possibly Brownells? The battery is just for size comparison.

 

[IanH]

That's, it, Forster Bonanza Gold. I bought a kit years ago to fill some barrel lettering on unmentionables but never have used it.

 

[Nwtradegunner]

That's, it, Forster Bonanza Gold. I bought a kit years ago to fill some barrel lettering on unmentionables but never have used it.

I haven’t used it for years. It sure prettie’s up engravings. It was way back in my gun finishing stuff.