I recently bought a 450/400 3" Farquharson rifle by Rodda. The gun has been restocked and engraved in the 20th Century. While the engraving is a little intense for a hunting rifle, I can put up with it. However, I would really like to have the gun re- rust blued to including the engraving and take away the silver color of the engraving and give the gun a little subtlety. It would also perhaps afford a little more protection for the metal. My concern is twofold: First, is it possible to rust blue over the relief engraving; and Second, are there historical examples of bluing over this kind of engraving. Here are two photos:

Glen Fewless, who I think is a member of the ACGG, does a lot of work on Farquharson guns (based on postings I've seen by him). He may have run across this type of engraving on one of them in his career, and if so maybe could possibly answer your question.

The loveliest example is of the superb enamel Holland double now in the NRA of America's collection.



That tiger on yours is well done, nicely executed. I'd be proud of it. It's not at all like the "Battlecat" abomination on the Westley DR someone posted an image of on the forum. Your rifle is class. Westley's, is just God bloody awful!

Deep chiseled relief engraving I had done on a Parker, then rust blued over:

I like that Parker! As soon as I'm finished working up a load for it, I think I'll have it blued. This gun was proofed with the tropical load (55 cordite 400 MAX), but I'd like to use the same load I use in my DR. That load is closer to the full load used with 400 gr Bullets. I need to slug the bore first. I hope that load shoots to the sights or high so I can zero it with a taller front sight. I don't want to tackle that parade of rear leaf sights.

Man, that Rodda is a cool rifle... I hope it sees action!

And Forrest, that Parker is a beaut as well.

That Rodda is a unique gun. I would appreciate it and use it as is.

I have a chance to buy a unique left handed double rifle. I'm going to put the Rodda up for sale to help fund it. $5900 delivered. My engraver says that is less that what the engraving cost. I'll post it on the classified section.

quote:

Originally posted by enfieldspares:
The loveliest example is of the superb enamel Holland double now in the NRA of America's collection.





That tiger on yours is well done, nicely executed. I'd be proud of it. It's not at all like the "Battlecat" abomination on the Westley DR someone posted an image of on the forum. Your rifle is class. Westley's, is just God bloody awful!

I just love that battle cat!

Thanks for the input. I sold the rifle instead. Now someone else has to worry about it.

Just can't help myself! That enameling would be classy on fine china...looks like shit on a firearm