This is an interesting thread.
I wonder, Brian...,
One of the members hereasked about spraying on finishes.
Since spray painting and spray finishing came into being in the 1880s, could this system have been the type used by manufacturers after that date?
It seems like it would be a fairly simple process to brush-apply a base and filler coat, then spray and scuff the outer shell over and over between drying to get a fairly fast and shiny result.
Do you use a smaller hobby/model spray gun?
If not, and if this is a technique you might want to try, I would be happy to send you a helmet to try it out with.
I mean, cutting your refinishing time down would be good. Your finishes look great already, but spraying might give an equal or even better result with less effort.
Just a thought...
Bryan.