When the season wraps up, we take the time to give our shotguns the attention they deserve. Whether it’s a trusted vintage double, a well-used pump, or a modern workhorse, the principles of post-season care remain largely the same. It’s not about reinventing the wheel—just good, basic field maintenance done right.
For avid collectors of antique firearms, nitre bluing represents not only an enduring finish but a vivid connection to an era when craftsmanship and aesthetics were as important as functionality. Let’s take a deep dive into the origins, development, and legacy of this iconic metal finish—and perhaps uncover a few surprises along the way.
If there’s one thing a collector loves, it’s a firearm that tells a story. And when it comes to finish work, few methods speak to the craftsmanship and timeless appeal of the old ways like rust bluing.
In this article, we’ll dig into the origins of charcoal bluing, why it was such a prized technique, and how it changed over time as firearms manufacturers moved into the modern era.
While the technique dates back centuries, Turnbull Restoration has played a pivotal role in preserving and perfecting this traditional metal finish and others over the last 40 years.
Today we’ll view a few immaculately preserved color case hardened firearms from the late 1800s and early 1900s compared to the restorations we’ve completed on the same models.
We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure our color case hardening is as authentic as it can be. We are proud of the work we do and the connection we have to the original master gunmakers of the turn of the century.
Sharing is caring, right? We’re grateful for the generosity of our Facebook and Instagram followers in 2022. They felt inspired to share our restoration and finish work with their friends in quantities that we haven’t seen in previous years. So we’re re-sharing the...
Glass half-empty, or half-full? The past few years have presented an opportunity to take stock of what’s most important. To stand proudly for who we are, and why we are. With that in mind, let me re-introduce you to three of our guiding principles and why they’ll continue to drive our work in the coming year.
Opening photo: “Grandfather’s Ithaca Flues”Copyright Ronald Jones. Used with kind permission. It’s a phrase we often say to ourselves when unpacking a firearm to be restored, as we lay eyes on it for the first time. We find ourselves wondering: what left...