Dear Walker,
To each his own right? Some people like the look and feel of old antiques and can't really afford to lay out 7 grand for an actual real antique, so, they go for something that makes them happy and they can afford.
In the case of the first weapon photo posted, as many pointed out, it looks to be a modern reproduction of a commonly executed modification in prior times, snubbing the barrel off of the revolver, to give you a small pocket pistol which, would be wildly inacurate at any distance, but, it could hide on your person easily, and at close range, would be DEADLY... And, in the case of the example, it was aged, to look like, it actually did come from that time period, and was used.
It is actually a very clever, well informed, and rather sophisticated piece of work, if you know what you're looking at, that is.
In my case, I do precisely the OPPOSITE, of these kinds of things, but the kinds of finishing steps I use, can, from time to time, have overlapping methods and techniques... I plan on taking my flintlock 50 caliber tennesse carbine full stock rifle, and, I am going to tripple chrome plate every single piece and screw on it. Then, I am going to cover the entire stock, with thin, strecthed white patent leather, the thin leather typically used to line things with... The bottom edge of the gun, running the length of the gun, will be where the two pieces of leather will meet, and be spiral wrapped with spiral interlocking fringe, running the entire length of the gun, streching the leather covering tightly, and hanging down, 4-1/2 to 6" of leather fringe allong the bottom of the gun. The entire gun, will be, mirror silver metal finish, and white patent leather... It should be STUNNING, when I am done with it all. I plan on naming it, the "Chief Joeseph"...
Sincerely,
ElvinWarrior... aka... David
