His rust bluing was amazing and without peer in this country. We had many long discussions about it. He was extremely particular and specific about every tiny detail even including what solution to wash the barrels with before applying his rusting solution. He told me that a lot of people tried to get him to reveal or sell his formulas to them, and he said he often told people it was all in the prep and that he simply used a commercial rusting solution such as Laurel Mountain, Mark Lees, or Pilkington's. I only know of one other person who Doug gave the formula to, and that was Tony Treadwell. ... I've seen the bluing done by the other gentleman James mentioned above, and know exactly who he is talking about, because Doug did compare his work with me as well. While an extremely talented gunsmith, I still think Doug's slow rust bluing was better.
I would like to hear the criteria by which you judge the quality? Are you comparing to English barrel blackers as the standard? What make British work stand out from any others?
Thanks.
