Rust Bluing Results

dnickels · 07-13-2016, 08:54 AM

I bought a well worn but parts matching (or mostly matching,it may have been rebarreled) pre 1916 commercial Luger to refinish. I enjoy this type of thing and it will make an attractive display piece and shooter.

When I got the gun, it had no original finish left and was just grey with old patina and dirt. It had possibly been scrubbed, or was just heavily worn. Based on the condition of the original grips, I think it was just heavy wear. If it was polished down, that would have been done years ago based on the patina finish. At any rate, it was not hard to get the metal cleaned up.

I bought some Mark Lee Express (Rust) Blue #1 and also some Express Brown #2 from Brownell's. A test on a piece of scrap gun steel showed both products give a very similar finish, but the Blue #1 is a bit less labor intensive.

So, about 3.5 hours later I had this...

The Mark Lee Express rust blue is VERY easy to apply and is almost foolproof if you follow the instructions. At first it seems rather complex as there are a few steps, but once you get the process down, it is just a matter of repeating it as many times as it takes to get the finish you want. In this case it was 5 or 6 applications, boils, and buffings. So far the quality seems top notch. The black is deep and rich and very glossy.

07-13-2016, 08:54 AM	#1
dnickels User Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 22 Thanks: 8 Thanked 24 Times in 8 Posts	Rust Bluing Results I bought a well worn but parts matching (or mostly matching,it may have been rebarreled) pre 1916 commercial Luger to refinish. I enjoy this type of thing and it will make an attractive display piece and shooter. When I got the gun, it had no original finish left and was just grey with old patina and dirt. It had possibly been scrubbed, or was just heavily worn. Based on the condition of the original grips, I think it was just heavy wear. If it was polished down, that would have been done years ago based on the patina finish. At any rate, it was not hard to get the metal cleaned up. I bought some Mark Lee Express (Rust) Blue #1 and also some Express Brown #2 from Brownell's. A test on a piece of scrap gun steel showed both products give a very similar finish, but the Blue #1 is a bit less labor intensive. So, about 3.5 hours later I had this... The Mark Lee Express rust blue is VERY easy to apply and is almost foolproof if you follow the instructions. At first it seems rather complex as there are a few steps, but once you get the process down, it is just a matter of repeating it as many times as it takes to get the finish you want. In this case it was 5 or 6 applications, boils, and buffings. So far the quality seems top notch. The black is deep and rich and very glossy.