Indo-Arab Matchlock ?

ward · 20th April 2011, 09:02 PM

make sure the barrell is absolutly free of any oils of any sort. a quick ammonia rinse will work. soap will work just make sure it is very well rinsed. even windex will work. The differene in a fast etch or slow is in that a fast etch more gray will be brought out than black. It can also be deeper. Since the damascus can be made of so many different elements getting black is no guarentee and can only be hoped for. another etch you can try is using horse manure and urine. These are more traditional types and take longer but the results are often better.

Norman McCormick · 20th April 2011, 11:18 PM

Hi Ward,
Thanks again for the advice, fruit juice or vinegar will probably be the way I'll go. Could you suggest an approximate time scale for immersion in the etchant?
My Regards,
Norman.

ward · 21st April 2011, 01:44 AM

this is where the fun begins. it depends on what was used to make the damascus and what the ph level of your acid are. viniger alone is sold in so many levels of acid and on top of that depends how much you dilute it. suggetion only yes this is your science project. leave it in for a day quick wash it with a hose leave it for 3 days check at 7 last at 14. fruit juices include pinaple, tomato,lime,orange, even ketshup tomato and vinegar. whostershire will even work. wine if you leave it out a day or so. tell wife to clean the cubbords since you just moved throw in blender and you are set. the fun gets to be if you ever want to reproduce the results or explain those dark stains or etch in the pots to the wife.

Norman McCormick · 21st April 2011, 06:52 PM

Hi Ward,
Thanks again for the guidance, not sure if I can actually 'tell' the wife to clean out cupboards or it might turn out re Fernando's last post.
My Regards,
Norman.

TN Hillbilly · 23rd April 2011, 02:13 AM

Hello All,

I'm new to this field of collecting.

Why does the owner want to acid etch the cleaned barrel of the matchlock?

Is it done to make the "Damascus twist" pattern stand out in the barrel material (like the 1800's era American black powder shotgun barrels)?

Thank you for tolerating my beginner's question.
TN Hillbilly

ward · 23rd April 2011, 04:59 PM

yes the shotgun damascus you are referering to was done as a cheap copy of the original damascus process. If you look thru the threads you will see various patterns that the smiths used to work the steel and iron.

Rick · 28th April 2011, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TN Hillbilly

Hello All,

I'm new to this field of collecting.

Why does the owner want to acid etch the cleaned barrel of the matchlock?

Is it done to make the "Damascus twist" pattern stand out in the barrel material (like the 1800's era American black powder shotgun barrels)?

Thank you for tolerating my beginner's question.
TN Hillbilly

Hi and welcome !

My first introduction to 'damascus' barrels was a pair of Parker 12 ga. dbl barrel shotguns from my Grandfather's estate .

Unfortunately they wound up in a Burglar's hands .

20th April 2011, 09:02 PM	#1
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	prep work make sure the barrell is absolutly free of any oils of any sort. a quick ammonia rinse will work. soap will work just make sure it is very well rinsed. even windex will work. The differene in a fast etch or slow is in that a fast etch more gray will be brought out than black. It can also be deeper. Since the damascus can be made of so many different elements getting black is no guarentee and can only be hoped for. another etch you can try is using horse manure and urine. These are more traditional types and take longer but the results are often better.

21st April 2011, 01:44 AM	#3
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	etching this is where the fun begins. it depends on what was used to make the damascus and what the ph level of your acid are. viniger alone is sold in so many levels of acid and on top of that depends how much you dilute it. suggetion only yes this is your science project. leave it in for a day quick wash it with a hose leave it for 3 days check at 7 last at 14. fruit juices include pinaple, tomato,lime,orange, even ketshup tomato and vinegar. whostershire will even work. wine if you leave it out a day or so. tell wife to clean the cubbords since you just moved throw in blender and you are set. the fun gets to be if you ever want to reproduce the results or explain those dark stains or etch in the pots to the wife.

23rd April 2011, 04:59 PM	#6
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	damascus yes the shotgun damascus you are referering to was done as a cheap copy of the original damascus process. If you look thru the threads you will see various patterns that the smiths used to work the steel and iron.

20th April 2011, 11:18 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,632	Hi Ward, Thanks again for the advice, fruit juice or vinegar will probably be the way I'll go. Could you suggest an approximate time scale for immersion in the etchant? My Regards, Norman.

21st April 2011, 06:52 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,632	Hi Ward, Thanks again for the guidance, not sure if I can actually 'tell' the wife to clean out cupboards or it might turn out re Fernando's last post. My Regards, Norman.

23rd April 2011, 02:13 AM	#5
TN Hillbilly Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1	Hello All, I'm new to this field of collecting. Why does the owner want to acid etch the cleaned barrel of the matchlock? Is it done to make the "Damascus twist" pattern stand out in the barrel material (like the 1800's era American black powder shotgun barrels)? Thank you for tolerating my beginner's question. TN Hillbilly