Care of Case-Hardened Finish

[farscott]

I have always wanted a case-color gun done by Doug Turnbull, but I never could justify the expense. However, S&W and CDNN have made it both easy and inexpensive. I am getting one of the the M15-9 .38 Special Heritage models for a song that I wish to display. This revolver will not be shot, but it will sit on my desk in a display case topped with UV-filter glass and be handled on a regular basis.

I am not sure of what I need to do to maintain the vibrant colors as well as keeping the finish corrosion free, so I am asking here. What should I do? What should I use? What should I not use?

 

[Old Fuff]

During the 19th century case-colored parts were sometimes lightly coated with a clear lacquer to protect the colors. In your situation this would probably be going too far, but you can do what museums do and coat the entire revolver with a high quality wax. Brownells (www.brownells.com) offer a product called “Renaissance†wax that is formulated expressly for this purpose. It’s expensive, but a single container probably represents a lifetime supply. Other then that, avoid displaying the gun in direct sunlight.

 

[farscott]

Old Fuff,

Thanks for the info. That makes it really easy.

 

[farscott]

I just wanted to post an update. Per Old Fuff's recommendation, I tried the Renaissance wax. In a nutshell, this wax is great. I used it on my display revolver and on a set of ivory grips that grace a 1911. It allows me to use the 1911 with the ivory grips, and it protects the case hardened revolver finish while allowing the beauty of the finish to be appreciated.

Thanks to Old Fuff for the great advice.

 

[Old Fuff]

I should send a bill .....