By chemically cooked, I mean that someone has applied one of the "patina restoration" solutions to the surface of the gun. These compounds, usually (and I am no chemist) are a dilute mix of an acid and some mineral compounds for buffering and color, and when applied lightly and removed quickly from a re-blued gun will give it just the "right" look to the uninitiated. It also frustrates the "Semichrome" test as there is iron oxide present.
The key to spotting these boosted pieces is that the discoloration and "patina" appear more like case hardening and the surface steel has microscopic etching. Actually, it is pretty crude and easy to spot in person...it just don't look right.
Tom A.
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