Bear in mind that I have the artistic skills of a dead sheep

...One or two washes and pinwashes...
ekke

If I may comment, you have apparently coloured the muzzle black. Is that nominally supposed to be a soot type deposit? If so, you might want to repaint it to match the rest of the gun as modern (incl WW II) propellants don't leave substantial soot deposits at the muzzle. What frequently appears as darker colouring in action photos is the lack of dust at the muzzle area making the area appear dark or sooty. The dust is, of course blown off by the firing of the gun. Again, in a photo where the entire gun tube appears a certain colour that has been lightened by a coating of dust, the dust free muzzles can appear quite dark.

Any minor soot deposits from even a very heavy action would be cleaned off within hours as sargents in artillery regiments love to have gunners spend the time immediately after a shoot cleaning out the barrels and tarting up the pieces, notwithstanding the gunners' desires to get some kip. :-)

Paul

Murdo,

Is that the fine tipped trowel? :-) :-) ,

You are way too harsh on yourself.... keep up the good work!

Frank

I dunno - I've seen lots of photographs ot soot blackend barrels ww2 and modern, you should see the crud on the CIWS (close in wepons system) after it fires! Large naval guns have a large build up due to the propelants and the bags as well, as always check your sources- note the barrels-