Early C96 Mauser Rust Blue Project

Germanpistolman · 06-17-2026, 09:22 AM

I'm looking for a suitable rust blue solution and advice on application for my early Cone-hammer C96 Mauser Pistol. Also looking for solution to carry out Peacock blue or Nitre blue to small parts.

Best regards

Charles M.R
www.cmrfirearms.com
Store Owner

Ron Wood · 06-17-2026, 12:10 PM

Charles,
Here is a pretty comprehensive set of instructions that was posted on the forum in 2009: https://forum.lugerforum.com/forum/s...ark+D%27s+rust
Ron

Germanpistolman · 06-22-2026, 08:27 AM

Hello Ron,

Thank you for sending me the link and Formula to create my
own Rust Blue for Trial purposes. It was extremely helpful.

Kind Regards

Charles M.R
CMR Classic Firearms
Store Owner

biffj · Yesterday, 10:10 PM

The fire blued parts like the bolt stop, safety lever and trigger can be done in molten sodium nitrate salt. Not sure if that is available where you are but over here you can get it at food preservation supply houses. Its used as a preservative in some meats and such as that. Most guys I know use it for annealing the necks of their brass cases. They use one of the electric lead melting pots with a controllable temp knob. I can't recall exact temps but there are charts out there. Look up tempering colors. You melt the salts and take them to the temps you want and then dip the parts in until the color is achieved. You need to polish them before hand to remove any prior finish. It is the way the parts were originally done. Dip them in oil to retain the color.

Frank

06-17-2026, 09:22 AM	#1
Germanpistolman User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 79 Thanks: 16 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Early C96 Mauser Rust Blue Project I'm looking for a suitable rust blue solution and advice on application for my early Cone-hammer C96 Mauser Pistol. Also looking for solution to carry out Peacock blue or Nitre blue to small parts. Best regards Charles M.R www.cmrfirearms.com Store Owner __________________ CMR Firearms Luger and Mauser Broomhandle Pistols etc. [url=http://www.lugerfirearms.com.com]

06-17-2026, 12:10 PM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 7,054 Thanks: 1,125 Thanked 5,294 Times in 1,731 Posts	Charles, Here is a pretty comprehensive set of instructions that was posted on the forum in 2009: https://forum.lugerforum.com/forum/s...ark+D%27s+rust Ron __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

06-22-2026, 08:27 AM	#3
Germanpistolman User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 79 Thanks: 16 Thanked 12 Times in 7 Posts	Early C96 Mauser Rust Blue, Peacock and Straw. Hello Ron, Thank you for sending me the link and Formula to create my own Rust Blue for Trial purposes. It was extremely helpful. Kind Regards Charles M.R CMR Classic Firearms Store Owner __________________ CMR Firearms Luger and Mauser Broomhandle Pistols etc. [url=http://www.lugerfirearms.com.com]

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Yesterday, 10:10 PM	#4
biffj User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts	The fire blued parts like the bolt stop, safety lever and trigger can be done in molten sodium nitrate salt. Not sure if that is available where you are but over here you can get it at food preservation supply houses. Its used as a preservative in some meats and such as that. Most guys I know use it for annealing the necks of their brass cases. They use one of the electric lead melting pots with a controllable temp knob. I can't recall exact temps but there are charts out there. Look up tempering colors. You melt the salts and take them to the temps you want and then dip the parts in until the color is achieved. You need to polish them before hand to remove any prior finish. It is the way the parts were originally done. Dip them in oil to retain the color. Frank