Here are some close-ups.

Here's a couple of Deluxe Winchester's I did for a Wichester collector. I stocked both rifles and the finish is a piano finish like Winchester put on their high grade rifles.

Top rifle is an 1892 in 32-20. I did the polishing, engraving, rust blue and stockwork. Dan Cullity did the Carbonia blue, Nitre blue, and case color.

Bottom rifle is an 1894 that I just completed the engraving on. I did the polishing, engraving and stockwork. Doug Turnbull did the Carbonia Blue, Nitre blue, case color and rust blue.

Scrollcutter: Excellent! Boys, we are seeing the emergence of a Renaissance Man. Skilled in multiple disciplines of the type that makes our hearts go pitty-pat. Nothing but admiration here.

Roger,

That is amazing stuff! would you mind explaining two things for me and the rest of those that might be wondering?

1. I know in the past you have said it is hard to mainting the engraving's sharpness when rust bluing due to having to card it after each rust, can you explain how you compensate for that?

2. What is involved in that finish you did? I am guessing it is an always high gloss like that, how durable is it? hardness?

Thanks Roger for the pictures.

Red

What Frank said! That is awesome work and photography to boot. Thanks for the pic's. Just to show my maximum ignorance, are rifles like that just put on the wall like other pieces of art, or would someone dare and shoot one?




Regards,Don.

Geez Roger, I'm impressed. I can appreciate how beautiful they look, but I can't imagine the amount of time and effort something like that entails.

I do have an idea for some printing plates I'd like you to engrave for me, (two sided, with a portrait of dead presidents in a multicolor design but mostly green).

Red:



The rust blue is not especially detrimental to the scroll engraving. It's only fine line/bulino animals or game scenes. Both actions are Carbonia blued.



The finish on the '92 is a sprayed water based spar varnish. The '94 is a sprayed water based lacquer. It's a built up finish sanded to 2000 grit wet/dry and rubbed out with rottenstone and paraffin oil.



I almost forgot the rest of your question. Durability. I would say that either of these finishes are pretty durable. What they are not, is scratch resistant. I wouldn't have this particular finish on a working rifle.



The wood is Claro, and it's a bloody b*tch to work with. Especially, with Winchester tangs.



Thanks for the compliments, gents.