Revolver finish

[trappedonrr]

I have searched the forums and have found a little information on re-bluing pistols. Which is more period correct for a remington 1858? Cold rust blueing or charcoal bluing or hot bluing? I am not talking about caustic bluing.

Kevin White
147th PVI

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: Revolver finish

Hallo!

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In brief and to over-generalize...
"Period" revolvers were not liquid or paste "cold blued" or "heat blued."

The various companies had their formulae for chemical salt type "hot bluing" that typically produced a "drier" looking, or matter-looking, black than the modern black "wet ink" look the Italians use.
Plus, on special factory order, a finer blue could be ordered, such as the "wet blue ink" look from Colt. (Not a military issue concern...)

(Nor did they use cyanide gas to simulate color case hardening for those makers who colored their frames, hammers, and loading levers.)

Curt

[trappedonrr]

Re: Revolver finish

I have a formula for Salt bluing. Maybe I will try that. I also noticed that the 1873 springfield trapdoor was browned and that a lot of military arms were browned or armory brite.


Private Kevin White
147pvi