Interesting Toradar Barrel

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by archer

I don't think the barrel was ever etched in a past life so hopefully the contrast will come out.

This barrel was 100% etched in the past. It is made from pattern welded steel and the only purpose of the pattern is to be beautiful. I have different etchants receipies from the past, but they all sound very toxic, with quicksilver and so on. If you are interested, I have a pdf about pattern welded Barrel restoration for you. The fine thing is, the guide is from early 19th ct. and describes the old way to stain a barrel.


Roland

[Pukka Bundook]

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.

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

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.

Hello Richard,

thank you very much for your explanation. In Germany we know no difference between etching and staining. I learned this difference from Mr. Alan Maisey. Yes I understand the difference since a few months.
I wrote etching because in the book "Oriental arms and armour" Lord Eggerton says Indian barrels are etched until there is a relief in the surface and he describes pretty detailed how they did that. The book: On Damascus Steel" from Dr. Figiel shows exactly the same type of pattern welded barrel on page 138 and 139 and this barrel is relief etched (at least I`m sure about that). But the patternd welded swords seem to be stained not etched. I guess a relief etching is more durable on barrels, which become hot from shooting and often oiled.

Please correct me, if I write something wrong. This is the only and best way to learn more!


Best wishes and thank you again for your explanation,
Roland

[archer]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

This barrel was 100% etched in the past. It is made from pattern welded steel and the only purpose of the pattern is to be beautiful. I have different etchants receipies from the past, but they all sound very toxic, with quicksilver and so on. If you are interested, I have a pdf about pattern welded Barrel restoration for you. The fine thing is, the guide is from early 19th ct. and describes the old way to stain a barrel.


Roland

Hello Roland,
I sent you an Email thru Forum and would enjoy any information you might be able to provide. I'm currently using more prolonged Etching to get the barrel etched evenly where time and mild repeated cleanings have made it more shallow. The barrel is showing a sort of sideways W pattern and some of the joints where sections were forged together. Yes we all will benefit from more knowledge. A photo from Figiel Zig Zag Pattern. Thank you, Steve

[Pukka Bundook]

Roland,

You know more about this than I do, and cannot think I could add anything to what you describe above.
I did not know if all Indian barrels were etched, as I have a couple that are very smooth and uniform, and show no pattern either.

I should try an etch on a hidden area.
It appears I need more books! :-)

Steve,

That barrel is becoming very vibrant!

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Roland,

You know more about this than I do, and cannot think I could add anything to what you describe above.
I did not know if all Indian barrels were etched, as I have a couple that are very smooth and uniform, and show no pattern either.

I should try an etch on a hidden area.
It appears I need more books! :-)

Steve,

That barrel is becoming very vibrant!

Hello Steve,

Her is the link to the "DamascusRestorationandRefinish.pdf" for you and add the link here in the thread. The results look very professional.

https://www.datafilehost.com/d/48547375

And another one about Barrel strength.

https://www.datafilehost.com/d/1b05bc93

If you try an etch on a hidden area, I would suggest a salt instead of acid, because it is less destructive. A mild solution of Iron(III) chloride (I dont like it but others got very good results with it) or Sodiumpersulfate (~10 grams on 100 millilitre distilled warm water (40-50°C), barrel should be warmed up with hot water from the water-tab). This is easy to remove without traces and brings out every tiny detail of the pattern. You can ask Sajen,in case you dont trust me.

Btw. it is hard to see from pictures but British barrels or European pattern welded barrels in generell seems to have no relief etching, only a staining.

It would be really interesting, to find out the true reason why Indian pattern welded barrels are deep etched? It could also simply be just a question of fashion.

More books are always good but I afraid, you will not learn more about restoration. What you need is a good validated guide. I hope "DamascusRestorationandRefinish" will help you, this guide has been done by pros.


Kind regards,
Roland

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hello Steve,

Her is the link to the "DamascusRestorationandRefinish.pdf" for you and add the link here in the thread. The results look very professional.

https://www.file-upload.net/download...inish.pdf.html

...

More books are always good but I afraid, you will not learn more about restoration. What you need is a good validated guide. I hope "DamascusRestorationandRefinish" will help you, this guide has been done by pros.


Kind regards,
Roland

Roland,

Thanks for showing the link to this informative piece. I think it will find wider application than just gun barrels.

Ian.

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by Ian

Roland,

Thanks for showing the link to this informative piece. I think it will find wider application than just gun barrels.

Ian.

Sorry Ian, the first file hoster is crap. I try another one, now it works.
again:

restoration guide:
https://www.datafilehost.com/d/48547375

barrel strength:
https://www.datafilehost.com/d/1b05bc93


Roland

[Ian]

Hi Roland,

The first link worked for me on the second try. The second link works well too.

Ian