Rust Bluing

[lfid]

Tim,

thanks !!! so much for the useful answers and added info

I do have a project under way and have found that using arkansas type flat stones works quite well to maintain flats and seems to match about a 400-500 3m wet/dry finish

my main interest is custom target lugers that will be obvious not originals

I suspect some sort of tumbling for some parts would work if not done too long - esp for the irregular shaped parts , then dress with stone or paper , protect tolerance surfaces with tape in the tumbler

Ive used the brownells rust blue many years ago on a simple case browning hipower and that was quite easy to do

this is sculpture in metal which seems to be a good hobby to me

I suspect a henrob type torch and low heat would allow filling pits and then dress them down with stone - havent tried that yet

just dont do the chemical stuff in closed spaces

thanks
Bill