Steel Hardness

Dwight Gruber · 03-09-2003, 12:15 PM

Looking at witness marks has brought to mind a question which I hope the Lugersmiths, refinishers, and other machinists here can answer.

Judging by the difference in the "flow" of steel at the edges of witness marks, it appears that the barrel steel of WWII guns may be softer than the steel of the receivers to which they are mated. The nearly identical-appearing edges of the witness marks of Imperial-era Lugers implies that the barrel/receiver steel hardness of these guns is much closer to being the same.

Is this borne out by experience? Does anyone happen to have documetary evidence concerning the steel hardness of different Luger parts?

--Dwight

03-09-2003, 12:15 PM	#1
Dwight Gruber User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,908 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1,330 Times in 435 Posts	Steel Hardness Looking at witness marks has brought to mind a question which I hope the Lugersmiths, refinishers, and other machinists here can answer. Judging by the difference in the "flow" of steel at the edges of witness marks, it appears that the barrel steel of WWII guns may be softer than the steel of the receivers to which they are mated. The nearly identical-appearing edges of the witness marks of Imperial-era Lugers implies that the barrel/receiver steel hardness of these guns is much closer to being the same. Is this borne out by experience? Does anyone happen to have documetary evidence concerning the steel hardness of different Luger parts? --Dwight