How to Stripe the Breech Face | British Side-by-Side Shotguns | MidwayUSA

Published on March 19, 2014
Duration: 5:32

This guide details the process of 'striping' the breech face of a British side-by-side shotgun, a decorative polishing technique. It involves using worn emery cloth wrapped around a steel rule to create fine, parallel horizontal lines on the breech face for aesthetic enhancement. The extractors are polished separately with vertical strokes. This is presented as a cosmetic upgrade rather than a functional modification.

Quick Summary

Striping a shotgun breech face is a decorative gunsmithing technique using well-worn emery cloth and a steel rule to create fine, parallel horizontal lines for aesthetic enhancement. The process involves polishing the breech face horizontally and the extractors vertically, without removing significant metal.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Shotgun Striping
  2. 00:05What is Shotgun Striping?
  3. 00:13Purpose of Striping
  4. 00:24Demonstration Start
  5. 00:54Removing Extractors
  6. 01:05Choosing Abrasive Material
  7. 01:16Polishing the Breech Face
  8. 01:36Dealing with Pitting
  9. 02:00Polishing Direction
  10. 02:10Using a Steel Rule
  11. 02:37Starting the Striping Pattern
  12. 02:43Creating Parallel Lines
  13. 03:17Spacing the Lines
  14. 03:45Completed Striping
  15. 04:02Polishing Extractors
  16. 04:06Extractor Polishing Technique
  17. 04:26Extractor Polish Direction
  18. 04:53Reinstalling Extractors
  19. 05:02Final Assembly
  20. 05:12Comparing Results
  21. 05:23Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of striping a shotgun breech face?

Striping a shotgun breech face is a decorative gunsmithing technique that involves creating fine, parallel horizontal lines through polishing. Its primary purpose is aesthetic enhancement, making the firearm appear more refined and meticulously finished, rather than improving its functional performance.

What tools are needed to stripe a shotgun breech face?

To stripe a shotgun breech face, you will need well-worn emery cloth (around 400 grit), a thin steel rule (approximately 1/32 inch thick) to wrap the emery cloth around, and a vise to secure the barrels during the process. Ensure the firearm is unloaded before starting.

How should the polishing be done for shotgun breech face striping?

The polishing for striping should be done horizontally ('east and west') across the breech face using the emery cloth wrapped around a steel rule. The goal is light polishing to create lines, not to remove significant metal, especially if pitting is present. Spacing of lines is typically around 1/8 inch but can be adjusted.

How are the extractors treated during the striping process?

The extractors are polished separately from the main breech face. They should be polished vertically ('north and south') on their top surface. The decorative striping pattern is not carried over onto the extractors; they are typically left plain or finished with a standard polish.

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