Roland, 
 
I can not answer for Steve, but would like to say that etching and browning are separate proceedures.   
I know you know this already, but sometimes it can get confused. 
  A browned barrel can show the figure perfectly, as the iron/steel absorbs the acid in a different manner, to show the beauty of the pattern. 
An etched barrel can also be browned , and still shows the beauty of the pattern as well, but the difference is that an etched barrel will also show "Undulations" , or light contouring of the surface as in the above barrel. 
(Steel and iron eaten away at differing rates.) 
 
This contouring will not show on a merely   browned barrel, ...only the pattern. 
 
This was just to clarify.   
 
Kindest regards, 
Richard.
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
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