Black nitride older rifle actions?

[Naphtali]

In my "stuff" bin I have three rifle actions, all of which need work and then refinishing. These are: Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. 1*; M1898 Krag; and non-case hardened Winchester 1886. None has any [additional] value as collectible. I want to eventually metamorphose each one into a useful open-sighted hunting rifle. I have been informed that many semiautomatic pistols being made have dark, nearly black finishes or coatings that are called "black nitriding" or [something to do with] ion finishing. These finishes are claimed to be extremely wear and corrosion resistant. The finish is not on the metal. It is in the metal, having penetrated a surface.

1. If there is such a finish available after market and compatible with my older actions that use simple steel alloys, please identify it.

2. What parts, excluding springs, can be finished without harming a part's heat treat?

3. When parts are finished, do parts reassemble without any "issues?"

4. If you have had a firearm refinished with this process, have used the gun for at least a year, and are satisfied that the finish does what it is purported to do, please identify who did your refinishing job.

 

[boom boom]

In my "stuff" bin I have three rifle actions, all of which need work and then refinishing. These are: Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. 1*; M1898 Krag; and non-case hardened Winchester 1886. None has any [additional] value as collectible. I want to eventually metamorphose each one into a useful open-sighted hunting rifle. I have been informed that many semiautomatic pistols being made have dark, nearly black finishes or coatings that are called "black nitriding" or [something to do with] ion finishing. These finishes are claimed to be extremely wear and corrosion resistant. The finish is not on the metal. It is in the metal, having penetrated a surface.

1. If there is such a finish available after market and compatible with my older actions that use simple steel alloys, please identify it.

2. What parts, excluding springs, can be finished without harming a part's heat treat?

3. When parts are finished, do parts reassemble without any "issues?"

4. If you have had a firearm refinished with this process, have used the gun for at least a year, and are satisfied that the finish does what it is purported to do, please identify who did your refinishing job.

Technically possible I guess,

Nitriding is a high heat process that is really not designed for individual refinishing as it is an industrial process and not done by the common gunsmith. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferritic_nitrocarburizing

This custom gunsmith has it done for 1911's by another industrial firm--you might try asking him. http://www.millercustom.com/
I would imagine that it would be pretty costly.

Having redone milsurps etc., including Krags and Enfields, it is really not necessary to nitride one for very good rust protection. If you don't care about reducing the value of them, parkerizing the Krag and Enfield then covering with the new type paints such as Cerakote or durakote along with periodic applications of gun oil does quite nicely even in pretty horrendous conditions. Enfields were used until just recently in the far north by Canada for law enforcement duties. Most gunsmiths that refinish can do parkerizing and cerakoting/durakoting, etc. Hot caustic bluing or rust bluing would work but not as protective. Rust bluing would be a bit expensive. Hard chrome or electroless nickel plating are other possibilities but don't really know about pricing nor prep cost on long arms.

Nitriding or any other sort of refinishing won't restore pitting, lug setback, nor poor bores.

 

[dgod]

A little research provided the following;

https://sites.google.com/site/freeballisticcalculator/black-nitride-melonite-and-qpq

I have not dealt with this individual.

Black Nitride, as I understand it, is a process that is into the metal, the research I did, stated that ALL parts (Excluding Grips), could be processed (their size does not change). The provider I checked with required total disassembly, before shipping, prepaid, return to ypu would be un-assembled, and at whatever amount of time was negotiated during the planning stage.

I have seen this work, it is amazing, expensive, But superb workmanship, that will not deteriorate. I have several I would live to have done, but I would need assistance from the lottery...

Good LUCK
dg