Color Case Hardening

[Zombiphobia]

Has anyone done a color case hardening finish on a gun? What is needed and how is it done?

 

[Old Fuff]

Go to www.brownells.com

They sell the equipment and supplies, and on request they will send you a copy of the instructions for free.

Hint: I doubt it is something you'll want to do at home. Also part warpage is a risk.

 

[Zombiphobia]

Thanks, Old Fluff.

I was thinking of doing it to my 1858 Remmy style cap and ball. The whole thing neds refinishing and I thought it'd look good with a CCH frame.

How much do you estimate it should cost for a gunsmith to do it? I take it the metal needs to be !!HOT!! so if it requires pro metal working skill/equipment I'll have a smitty do it. once I decide on it.

edit: just checked prices on their CCH kit.. yup, this is a gun-smith's job.

 

[rcmodel]

Very few gunsmiths in the country are equipped or skilled enough in the process to do color case-hardening.

Here is one that is, but I doubt you will like the prices.
And I'm not even sure he works on Italian guns.
http://www.turnbullmfg.com/store.asp?pid=20180&catid=19872

rc

 

[Jim K]

IMHO, CCH would look funny on a Remington!

Jim

 

[triggerman770]

most of those Italian Remmy 58's are cast receivers so maybe go for case coloring rather than case hardening it's done at lower temps.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree with Jim K.

1858 Remington's were never color case-hardened in the first place.
Colt did that!

IMO: It would look as out of place as those color case-hardened "Classic" S&W DA revolvers they made there for a while.

S&W never color-case hardened frames in the history of the company, until they came up with that idea a few years ago.

It just don't look right.
And apparently they couldn't sell enough of them to keep doing it.
Amen!

rc

 

[Zombiphobia]

maybe go for case coloring rather than case hardening it's done at lower temps

how is it done? Does it look as good?

 

[triggerman770]

the colors will be a bit softer than hardening. You need to get 600-700 degrees. some will show at 500 or so if the piece has a good polishing sa 400-600 grit

 

[1911Tuner]

I love color case hardening...on era-correct guns like 1873 SAA clones and drop block Sharps replicas. On modern guns, it would seem a bit...odd...methinks. Even on an old 1911 or 1903 Colt.

 

[EMC45]

Send it to Doug Turnbull. He should be able to do it for you pretty cheap...........

 

[oneounceload]

There is case coloring - usually an acid-based procedure and then there is case hardening - a heat treatment, bone and charcoal, that is very tricky to do properly

Doug Turnbull is regarded as this country's master at that process

 

[Jim Watson]

A matter of style. I don't even like large areas of case colors. I had my Browning BPCR blued all over instead of trying to get the reciever re-colored when refurbished after The Incident and fire.

But if you want to see something bright, get a look in person at a CPA Stevens rifle. The receiver is case colored in a wave pattern unlike the random mottling seen on other guns. I don't know who does the work but it is very distinctive and correct for the model.

 

[Red Cent]

EMC45, that is a contradiction of terms.

 

[EMC45]

My comment was definitely used in jest. I am glad someone caught it. Turnbull turns out seriously fine work. It does cost though, as it should.