Wiping my lugers

ithacaartist · 03-17-2020, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runscott

...I have only one Luger, and the... blueing also looks very different than my old S&W's and Colts...

Another old-timey method of finishing guns was charcoal bluing--more like heat-staining of the top molecules on the surface to present a nice blue that's more transparent. Rust bluing actually is rust, so counts as an oxide finish. I'm pretty sure Colt and S&W used the former process in the early 20th century. Looks classy, but it's not as durable as other finishes.

Heinz · 03-17-2020, 10:16 PM

Smith used the "Carbonia Bluing" process. It used and oil and pine tar-based coating along with a heat treat. Smith produced the deep black blue and a fine gloss. Colt used a similar process on more matte finished guns producing a duller blue.

The Smith blue was very durable, far more so than a charcoal heat blue. My 1917 S&W Still has a great blue although there is holster wear.

runscott · 03-18-2020, 12:57 PM

Very interesting stuff - I assumed all of my blued guns were blued using the rust method. I had a 1920's S&W .44 which had a silvery sheen to its consistently-worn blueing, but I believe it's just due to heavy use over the years. From memory, it looked very similar to my 1918 Erfurt Luger and had about the same amount of wear.

RickJZ · 03-18-2020, 06:15 PM

The past Friday when I took out my model 1900 Luger, I experienced what Major Tom has mentioned regarding his Luger. At first I was quite perplexed since I have always carefully stored the pistol. The brownish color was close to the muzzle area. I immediately wiped it with oil and thankfully the residue came off. The bluing then took on its normal sheen.

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03-17-2020, 10:16 PM	#2
Heinz User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Greenville SC Posts: 1,004 Thanks: 377 Thanked 411 Times in 180 Posts	Smith used the "Carbonia Bluing" process. It used and oil and pine tar-based coating along with a heat treat. Smith produced the deep black blue and a fine gloss. Colt used a similar process on more matte finished guns producing a duller blue. The Smith blue was very durable, far more so than a charcoal heat blue. My 1917 S&W Still has a great blue although there is holster wear.

03-18-2020, 12:57 PM	#3
runscott User Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 36 Thanks: 10 Thanked 45 Times in 12 Posts	Very interesting stuff - I assumed all of my blued guns were blued using the rust method. I had a 1920's S&W .44 which had a silvery sheen to its consistently-worn blueing, but I believe it's just due to heavy use over the years. From memory, it looked very similar to my 1918 Erfurt Luger and had about the same amount of wear.

03-18-2020, 06:15 PM	#4
RickJZ User Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 28 Thanks: 8 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts	The past Friday when I took out my model 1900 Luger, I experienced what Major Tom has mentioned regarding his Luger. At first I was quite perplexed since I have always carefully stored the pistol. The brownish color was close to the muzzle area. I immediately wiped it with oil and thankfully the residue came off. The bluing then took on its normal sheen.