Video - Color Case Hardening

Beautiful gun. I love how he degreases them and then handles them with his bare hands afterward

Thanks, articap. I love the look of beautiful case colors and I'm fascinated by the different methods in use.

Thanks for posting, I too am also fascinated by the process, the colors are so brilliant they almost hurt the eyes!

Very interesting video.

Talkative feller, he is...
Nice of them to cover half the dialogue bar with the 'mute' option. But it was interesting nonetheless!

After Ruger takes over Marlin I’d love to see at least the Cowboy line-up be offered with color case hardening. I’d have no problems paying the premium if it was an option.

Frulk said:

After Ruger takes over Marlin I’d love to see at least the Cowboy line-up be offered with color case hardening. I’d have no problems paying the premium if it was an option.

Click to expand...

Howdy

The 'color case' finish that Ruger used on the 'original model' Vaqueros and the early New Vaqueros was not true Case Hardening. Ruger heat treats their frames completely all the way through the metal. Case Hardening, as has been stated, infuses extra carbon into the surfaces of low carbon iron and steel, to create a hard outer layer, or Case. Modern heat treating techniques such as Ruger uses were not available in the 19th Century, so Case Hardening was commonly used to make a more wear resistant surface on the outside of the metal. Because Ruger heat treats their frames all the way through, there would be no purpose to Case Hardening them. The mottled finish Ruger was applying was a chemical wash that resembled the colors of true Case Hardening.

This 'original model' Vaquero left the factory in 1994. It has Ruger's chemically induced 'color case' finish on the frame. At one point Ruger stopped using their 'color case' finish on Vaquero frames, because there were complaints that it caused light rusting. I can attest that is true. Now, all Vaquero frames are blued.






This 2nd Generation Colt Single Action Army left the factory in 1963. The colors of the Case Hardening have faded a bit over time, but they are still pretty vibrant. Notice how the colors are more subtle than the colors on the Ruger frame.






I have a few Marlin rifles of fairly recent manufacture, they all have blued frames, and I suspect the steel has been hardened by heat treating. I have a couple of antique Marlins, but the finish on them is all gone, so I do not know if they were Case Hardened or not. I do know that at one point Winchester was Case Hardening frames, but probably not for a long time now. Anyway, if Ruger were to start making the current line of Marlin lever rifles, I doubt they would be treating the frames with true Case Hardening.



The colors of True Case Hardening, whether brought about through the bone process or the leather process, are only a byproduct of the Case Hardening process. Don't forget, the purpose of Case Hardening was to create a hard surface on the outside of the metal, while maintaining the ductility of the interior of the part. During the 19th Century, the gun buying public became enthralled with the colors produced by Case Hardening, so each manufacturer developed their own Case Hardening process and jealously guarded the details. But as I say, the colors are only a byproduct of the process, they have no inherent properties of their own.




As a matter of fact, the colors of Case Hardening are fragile, and easily removed. Naval Jelly will remove the colors. Strong sunlight will cause the colors to fade, if the part is left in the sun for a long time. Even strong vinegar can remove the colors of true Case Hardening. Case in point (no pun intended). This 2nd Gen SAA left the factory in 1968. Sometime before I bought it, somebody decided to 'antique' it. Some chemical was used to remove all the blue, and most of the colors on the frame disappeared too. There is only a hint of the colors left on the frame. The 'rust patina' on the barrel and ejector rod housing are my own doing, the result of shooting it with Black Powder cartridges for many years. But as I said, the colors are simply a byproduct of the Case Hardening process. The outer layer of the frame is still just as hard as it was when it left the factory in 1968.






One more comment about Case Hardening. Smith and Wesson has always Case Hardened their hammers and triggers. Well, up to the introduction of MIM parts anyway. Real, true Case Hardening. At one point, S&W was able to obtain a Trademark for their Case Hardened hammers and triggers. The rear of these hammers and triggers were marked REG.U.S.PAT.OFF. to reflect this Trademark. The purpose was to prevent cheap knockoffs of S&W revolvers from being imported into this country from Europe. At one point, the government reversed itself and S&W's trademark for their Case Hardening was removed, so the hammers and triggers were no longer marked this way. This hammer is on a 38 M&P that left the factory in 1939.

Driftwood. I was aware of Ruger’s process and how it was accomplished. Regardless, I still like the look and would prefer it as an option on Marlins.

Thanks for taking the time to provide the backstory on the overall case hardening process. VERY enlightening and informative. Learned something I’m interested in today.

I would love them to offer a vaquero model with the old color case look. That an an ivory handle so nice.