Biorka
Member
I am in the process of engraving my first gun. This is an old and well used gun that I purchased new in the 90's. The first lesson I learned was to try to engrave a “new†gun. This gun was pitted and scratched and took a long, long time to achieve a decent 600 grit finish. I have inlayed the gold border, did the heavy cuts and most of the shading. My original plan was to have the gun (Browning BPS) blued at this point. I would then remove the bluing from the area which will receive the bulino game scene and proceed with the bulino.
But now I am having second thoughts about bluing and would like some expert advice. Is bluing an engraved gun just a matter of preference? It seems it would just “wash out†the contrast developed by the fine shading. Many, if not most of the guns I have seen on the engraving web sites appear to be un- blued and I wonder if this is the most popular finish or whether these guns are shown prior to bluing. I am assuming the prime reason for bluing a gun is as a rust barrier? and bluing is preferential on a gun that is to be used in the field or at the range??
Your help suggestions and critique on my project thus far will be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Barry
Sitka, Alaska
But now I am having second thoughts about bluing and would like some expert advice. Is bluing an engraved gun just a matter of preference? It seems it would just “wash out†the contrast developed by the fine shading. Many, if not most of the guns I have seen on the engraving web sites appear to be un- blued and I wonder if this is the most popular finish or whether these guns are shown prior to bluing. I am assuming the prime reason for bluing a gun is as a rust barrier? and bluing is preferential on a gun that is to be used in the field or at the range??
Your help suggestions and critique on my project thus far will be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Barry
Sitka, Alaska