H.Clarke & Sons SxS info

sixgunner357

sixgunner357

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I've acquired an old H.Clarke & Sons side by side with exposed hammers and it has Damascus barrels. The gun needs a full rebluing and clean up. I would like to know if the gun is worth cleaning up and putting money into. Any information would be appreciated.
 
Refinishing damascus barrels runs roughly $500.00. If you want the lockplates and trigger guard, etc recolored it's probably another $400.00. Before spending any money on the barrels, the wall thickness should be measured at various intervals as well as the bore. If the barrels have severe pitting or the walls are thin, then you have nothing really and spending money would be a lost cause. Even if the barrels check out okay, you will likely spend more than the gun is worth to have it done correctly. Are the barrels on face? Any play in the action? How bad is the wood? Refinished barrels and a well worn looking stock don't match. Any mechanical issues will also be costly. It just depends on your reasons for doing it. If you are thinking for resale to maybe make money, you better think twice.
I have been down this road a few times and I have more into each gun than I will ever see out of them. But resale was not my reason for having them done. Also, expect the unexpected which can quickly reek havoc on your pocket book.
I will be away for the weekend but if you want to shoot me a pm I can go into much more detail when I get back.
 
Last edited:
gunsaholic said:
Refinishing damascus barrels runs roughly $500.00. If you want the lockplates and trigger guard, etc recolored it's probably another $400.00. Before spending any money on the barrels, the wall thickness should be measured at various intervals as well as the bore. If the barrels have severe pitting or the walls are thin, then you have nothing really and spending money would be a lost cause. Even if the barrels check out okay, you will likely spend more than the gun is worth to have it done correctly. Are the barrels on face? Any play in the action? How bad is the wood? Refinished barrels and a well worn looking stock don't match. Any mechanical issues will also be costly. It just depends on your reasons for doing it. If you are thinking for resale to maybe make money, you better think twice.
I have been down this road a few times and I have more into each gun than I will ever see out of them. But resale was not my reason for having them done. Also, expect the unexpected which can quickly reek havoc on your pocket book.
I will be away for the weekend but if you want to shoot me a pm I can go into much more detail when I get back.
Click to expand...

Gunsaholic knows of what he speaks. You would do well to take his advice. I would give you some but Guns has covered it all, until you provide more information.

If you want advice as to whether your specific gun might be a good candidate for restoration (not to make money) you'll need to post good pics, including the proof marks on the barrel flats.

What Gunaholic hasn't said is that some of his guns, ones that he has spent more money on than he will ever see in resale, are flat out gorgeous. I do the same and it's fun to hunt with beautiful guns.

As a very minor aside, one "browns" or "blackens" a Damascus barrel. They shouldn't be blued. It's a different process, one designed to bring out the beauty of the Damascus pattern rather than hide it under the blueing.
 
Thanks for the advice, I'm sure the gun will cost more to fix than it's worth based on what you guys say. It's to bad it's been neglected as bad as it has been, it is an interesting gun with lots of scroll work including all the screw heads.
 
Yes throw up a few pictures ,we all like to see guns and the by's gave sound advice really nothing to add and they know it, both have been down the road good bad and the ugly ,bottom line you have nothing without barrels .But like James said there's nothing like hunting with a vintage gun that looks fresh ,it's like stepping back in time
 
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