[ithacaartist]

Sometimes the markings are highlighted with gold, too. It's mostly used to make them show up better, but sometimes they're used to cover up the nuances displayed by markings that have been faked--pantographed, acid etched, laser cut, or hand engraved. These are stamped, and displace metal when applied. This raises the surfaces directly surrounding the markings. This interruption of the original grain of the metal induces the "halos" found to have developed over time around stapmpings that were executed after the rust bluing process on original guns.

Since the guns never left the factory with anything more than the "Gesichert" filled in with off-white enamel, the stuff filling the markings can be a variety of things--basically whatever sticks in the recesses of the markings and helps them show up. Paint--either lacquer or enamel--is used. "Dial enamel" is wax-based and used to highlight recessed markings on dials...or whatever. One could also rub a white Crayola or a white lumber marker into a warm gun's stampings and buff off the excess with a soft cloth.

Most techniques for highlighting are safe enough for the finish. What you have to be careful about is removing them. Absolutely avoid any abrasive methods, as well as techniques for removal using anything acidic, both of which will remove the finish. Organic solvents such as acetone should be fine, along with a soft toothbrush or the like.