rust bluing

BILL · 02-14-2001, 11:04 PM

Well, so much for Colt's top secret formula..all kidding aside, there is a metal finish that Colt used in the early days to get the flame-blue cylinders, so I have read. They sprinkled bone-charcoal onto them, tied them tightly in rawhide and set them into the hot coals of a fire. When the fire died down they poured urine on them and let them cool. It doesn't sound too scientific does it? I wonder how many they had to buff back down and start over? Having said all that..any ideas on how metal was 'japanned'? I have several pistols, none Japanese, that have what is referred to as 'japanned' small parts. Any ideas?

02-14-2001, 11:04 PM	#6
BILL User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Western Washington Posts: 826 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Re: Rust Bluing Well, so much for Colt's top secret formula..all kidding aside, there is a metal finish that Colt used in the early days to get the flame-blue cylinders, so I have read. They sprinkled bone-charcoal onto them, tied them tightly in rawhide and set them into the hot coals of a fire. When the fire died down they poured urine on them and let them cool. It doesn't sound too scientific does it? I wonder how many they had to buff back down and start over? Having said all that..any ideas on how metal was 'japanned'? I have several pistols, none Japanese, that have what is referred to as 'japanned' small parts. Any ideas?