DWM 1915...might snag but...

[John Sabato]

The smell test is used to detect the presence of "cold blue" solutions such as:


that have been used on a firearm to provide protection to areas that have been worn down to bare metal...OR make worn areas look a little more minty to a potential buyer...

Cold blue solution is made by several vendors but the one thing they have in commom is the main ingredient... Copper Sulphate (and possibly some sulphur). Buy yourself a small bottle of this stuff (good for use on working firearms for the first stated reason) and use it on a degreased steel (not aluminum) gun according to instructions on the bottle... the results are certainly blue or black but accompanying the color is a fragrance you won't soon forget... it is something akin to rotten eggs but not quite that strong. This odor NEVER goes completely away. If you suspect that a firearm has had this solution applied to "enhance" its condition for sale, wipe it down with a dry rag and then rub the suspected area rapidly with your fingers to create a little friction... and then quickly bring it to your nose. One Whiff is all it takes in most cases to determine if the finish is original or doctored .

The smell might also be described as the exactly the opposite of the "sweet" smell of

...

Anyone else care to venture their impression of this odor for the new guys?

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