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Ken61
Those SAC barrels turned out very nice, and I personally prefer a black and white finish on Twist and Damascus barrels; but for whatever it's worth, the nearest to new condition Grade O "New Twist" SAC gun I've seen to date featured a brown and white finish on its New Twist tubes. For sake of discussion here, there was an article in the DGJ years ago that was a story about a gentleman who worked at both Syracuse Arms and Ithaca Gun Company. In the article were pictures of tools he had used etc.; but the most interesting artifact to me was a copy of a hand-written note on which he had noted the barrel browning formula for finishing Syracuse Arms Company barrels. Not being a chemist, the period terms used to concoct the mixture were Greek to me; as some of the names provided were things I'd never heard of before or since. I can't recall if Walt Snyder or James Tyson may have written that article, and it's been 10 years or more since it was published; but if you're motivated to do so, might be interesting to dig out that article and give that formula a try as you continue experimentation with Damascus barrel finishing.

Tom,

The picture color is off, the barrels are a very deep black and bright white. The true color only shows in the "Glare" section of the top tube of the bottom set. I still have to perfect my photo lighting.

I'd be interested is the original formula, but many contain Mercuric Chloride, which I've been avoiding.

Anyone know of the specific article Tom is referring to?

Regards
Ken

Tom,

Brown & White? That's surprising. Are you fairly certain of this? Actually, this is easily done, merely a continuation of the process, by omitting boiling and logwood soaks after the last couple of light rusting cycles.

Now you've got me all "messed up" as far as originality.

A point Dr. Gaddy made in his DGJ 2003 Original Parker Process article is that over an extended time period, Black & White barrels slowly convert to the more stable Brown & White color. Is this possibly why original barrels now appear Brown & White?

I think reading the article you referenced would assist in a correct determination, as the process would indicate what the end result would be.

I misunderstood your post, I initially thought you were saying the barrels were not black enough.

Regards
Ken

Ken
Having never been a student (only an appreciator) of Damascus barrels, and having never studied the finishing processes; I couldn't possibly explain how Twist and Damascus finishes age.
I've been told, as you understood above, that black and white finishes can age over time to brown and white; and I've also been told that brown and white finishes fade over time to black and white, so how's a fellow supposed to know what to believe? Although I can tell you that most of the Grade O SAC guns I've seen having remaining New Twist finishes are black and white, I have also seen a few examples that exhibit brown and white finishes. The gentleman with the near new SAC Grade O gun noted above is a forum member here, Harry Sanders; and he has posted photos of that gun here in the past, although I don't recall the thread. But regardless, I have pix of that gun Harry shared with me, and don't think he would mind them being posted again; so if you'll forward your email addy (since I can't seem to post photos), I'll forward those to you and you can post them for those interested to see. But rest assured the barrel finishes on that gun are brown and white, while the rib has a darker contrast (almost black); the end result is strikingly beautiful, and there is little wonder that SAC's Grade O gun was their sales leader after seeing how one of these models would have appeared to the buyer when new.
Tom

Almost forgot; email addy is tarcher@smcredit.com

Just my experience Ken, in regular lighting conditions, my best guns have a black and white appearance.
If you hit them with much light, they all are deep brown.

It certainly appears that 'Marks 21' 'A' grade has a case colored `trigger plate.
Perhaps he'll share a vague reference point of it's serial number.
It does not appear to have it's frame refinished.

Problem is Ken, trying to get a reference point from pictures is near impossible.
Depending on the lighting, the colors on the the barrels, the case coloring, and the wood can change dramatically.

I'm not near a puter with my pictures and files but my A grade is 25k something

I wouldn't share the number without your permission.

I finally figured out how to post topgun's pictures.

Interesting comparison.

I'm sure most have seen this on GB.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=497898390

Ken,
I keep looking at your pics hoping to see my Flues barrels.