Quote:
None of the barrels Ive seen finished by Johnsons are plum black. I have no idea what that is actually, other than bluing/blacking that has aged without being oiled properly....or in some cases with hot bluing...that part hasnt been in the solution long enough...or it was in too long...or the solution is too old, etc.


Maybe you could post photo of 'Johnson blacking' that you use as your standard of excellence? From a verbal description it is impossible to know exactly what it looks like.

I have an Atkin SLE spring opener made in 1930, maybe its original barrels have the finish you describe?

Here is an example of the blacking on the barrels of the Dickson... done by the makers:


C Man
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