Art Buchanan

The straw color is a heat treat process. Straw color occurs at about 440 degrees. More heat will make it darker.Keep heating and metal turns purple then bright blue then gray. Metal has to be repolished in order to start again to get straw. The idea is to heat all of the part evenly so that same color occurs at same time on the entire part. Nitre is the pro way to do it---but you can do it in the kitchen oven, a roaster oven-- or with a propane torch. Torch takes a bit of practice and a light touch to heat part evenly. Most home ovens do not maintain an absolute temp. Some experiment with thermostat setting is necessary. One needs oven with window in door to watch parts. Remove parts the second appropriate color is reached. Correct polish of metal is also important to achieve correct color. I use 150 grit emory by hand--then just a touch on buffing wheel with stainless rouge. Clean parts well with acetone before heating. All this sounds like a home remedy--but it works--been doing it more than 15 years. One can add the nice fire blue color to grip screws, front sights, springs and pins easily with the propane torch. Check Luger Variations by Harry Jones--he described process in his book in l961. Experiment with small pieces of metal before tackleing a Luger straw part. Also remember that the straw color will be darker ofter cooled and a lubricant is applied. Hope this helps someone!