Doug Turnbull: raider of the lost arts

American Handgunner, March-April, 2004 by Mike Cumpston

Tired old cliches generally strut and fret their hours upon the stage and die from the shear weight of repetition and ridicule. The trigger-pull that "breaks like a glass rod" went down to dusty death a generation ago and there are other examples.

On rare occasions our catch phrases are killed outright. The term "lost arts" as applied to metal finish is one such literary device. Once mourned as the victims of vulgarizing progress, the old surface treatments remain all arcane art but, thanks to Doug Turnbull, they are no longer lost. They are in fact becoming more and more a part of the consciousness of contemporary shooters and arms enthusiasts.

Doug Turnbull's exposure to fine American firearms began in his father's gunsmithing business at the famous Creekside Gun shop in Upstate New York. Early on, he determined there is no reason why today's shooter should not be able to handle and shoot the vintage arms just as they came from the manufacturer. He began to explore the early methods of bluing and color case hardening, first applying them to the old Parkers, and Winchesters and then duplicating the original finishes on cartridge arms produced between the mid 1870s and World War II. Now, two decades later, Turnbull Restorations is a full service firearm conservancy capable of full metal and wood finishing, restoration of original markings and new and restoration engraving.

Historically, the finest color case hardening was pretty well restricted to the low carbon iron used on 19th Century firearms, Turnbull has revolutionized the process, controlling the temperature so that true bone color case hardening is now applicable to modern steels and even investment castings. As a result, the singular Ruger-based revolvers from the top revolver smiths, more often than not, make their way through the Turnbull shop. Seyfried's Number 13 .475 Ruger--a modern Keith Number 5--is an prime early example.

Hamilton Bowen's revisitation of/the Keith Number No 5. features Turnbull's Carbona blue process and Nitre blue screws. The color case and Carbona Blue, true to the factory finishes of the late 19th Century. appear in concert on the premium custom Colts from Bowen Classic Arms. At times the Turnbull contribution extends beyond the finishing process and into the realm of true restoration. He is able to duplicate the factory roll markings that might be obscured by decades of neglect and the necessary metal preparation.

Once upon a time a customer appeared at Ten Ring Precision and confronted Alex Hamilton with a Black Powder Single Action Army that appeared to have been dug up and dusted off. He wanted a full restoration. Alex could fix the mechanics but his two staple restoration specialists deemed the revolver beyond cosmetic redemption. He sent the Colt to Doug Turnbull who said it could be returned to like new condition if price was not a consideration. Alex has been point man for the Custom Handgun trade since 1960-something and is not easily impressed. The restored Colt made him a believer.

Says Alex: "Turnbull restorations color case hardening and carbona blue is perfect and is the best match for the old Colt or Smith and Wesson colors of any other shop in business today. Doug Turnbull is without a doubt the finest restoration artist in the United States today."

Quality is Job One

Turnbull's virtuosity and the sound business practices of Turnbull Restorations bore fruit when Alex sponsored his membership in the exclusive American Pistolsmiths Guild. He is now an indispensable contributor to the preternaturally perfect Guild Guns the APG puts out every year. Turnbull Restorations has prospered. The entire range of finish options now finds its way into the contemporary firearms industry, its Turnbull Restorations conspires with Colt. Smith & Wesson, Marlin, United States Firearms and other companies on their premium and custom shop arms. Arts once considered lost, again enrich the experience of dedicated collectors and shooters alike.

For more information, contact Turnbull Restorations: P.0. Box 471, Bloomfield NY 14469: phone/fax: (585) 657-6338; email: turnbullrest@mindspring.com