As a relative newcomer to the discussion, I really enjoy the many perspectives and 'overhearing' the conversation between amateurs and professionals and 'the old guard'.
My feeling is this: the discussion about finishes is similar to the discussion about guns in general. There is something to be said for simple aesthetics and tradition. As Damascus suggested, vintage for vintage is a reasonable choice.
Consider why we in this forum choose to shoot side by side shotguns in the first place. Yes, there are a few practical advantages, but it's really difficult to argue that a vintage sxs is superior to the latest cerakoted auto loader, when it comes to pure function.
Similarly, when it comes to finishes, from a purely practical standpoint, the latest coatings undoubtedly outshine any of the older formulas, but they also - from what I have seen - do not match the aesthetic feel of the old oil formulas. That may be romantic imagination on my part. If so, I've had that idea since before I knew what I was looking at: I remember, as far back as high school days in the 1990s, looking at high end guns in magazines and wondering how the finish could be so deep and clear.
A question for Damascus: since your slakum finish is one that folks reference frequently, are you suggesting that we should be using something more modern? Or is the addition of copal enough to replicate the old spar protection? In other words, why go to all that trouble when there are commercial spar/oil finished available?
On a related question:. Am I wrong to think that the majority of high end gunmakers in Britain at least, are using an 'old fashioned' linseed oil based finish even today?
And a final question:. I understand that varnishes could keep ship parts from deteriorating, but is that level of protection really necessary for a gun, particularly a fine gun that is mostly kept clean and dry?
Last edited by Woodreaux; 04/03/20 02:43 PM.
