1937 blueing process

TC · 06-17-2002, 10:20 AM

thor, when they swithced the blueing process in 1937, did they still blue only the outside and leave the inside white? or was it just completely blued over for speed?

tom <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

Thor · 06-17-2002, 10:50 AM

When they switched to the salt or immersion bluing they blued the entire piece that was being blued, in the case of a barreled receiver that would include the inside of the bore and inside of the receiver forks, everything. It is hard to plug a bore that is being immersed in 300 degree F liquid for half an hour (actual time and temp will vary due to chemicals used), actually the bluing adds some bore protection as well. In rust bluing the max temp is 212 degrees F. I always plug the bores on rust blues but never with salt bluing. Remember als that if a 1937 weapon was before the "t" block is should have a rust blued finish if probably done. It appears from TRL, Jan Still's excellent reference that from the 1936 "n" block Lugers to the time when the 1937 "t" block switched to salt bluing, that this range of Rust blued Lugers did NOT have the interior surfaces polished as before, an important fact to remember. The muzzles on post 1937 (salt blued) Lugers were left in the blued state when issued. I am sure that upon firing them, some of the bluing is burned away and the holsters and other adjacent objects may have also worn some of it off. Thor

AGE · 06-17-2002, 12:28 PM

Thor and others,

I once had a 1911 reblued (maybe 30 years ago). Reputable shop and great job--but they blued everything. Dummy that I was, I didn't hold the small parts that I would have preferred in the white.

Needless to say, they blued the barrel and bore. Not to worry, the bore blue didn't last 100 rounds. Today, the bore is shiny and bright.

tracyp · 06-18-2002, 11:46 AM

Great information Thor. I checked my 70's Mauser Luger and the inside of the barrel is blued. I have fired this pistol many times and the inside still remains blued.

wterrell · 06-18-2002, 06:54 PM

Thor, with the information about bluing on the inside of a barrel, you changed my life. <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" />

That information is too good. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

06-17-2002, 10:20 AM	#1
TC Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: south carolina Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1937 blueing process thor, when they swithced the blueing process in 1937, did they still blue only the outside and leave the inside white? or was it just completely blued over for speed? tom <img src="graemlins/drink.gif" border="0" alt="[cherrsagai]" />

06-17-2002, 10:50 AM	#2
Thor User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico Posts: 4,583 Thanks: 958 Thanked 970 Times in 276 Posts	When they switched to the salt or immersion bluing they blued the entire piece that was being blued, in the case of a barreled receiver that would include the inside of the bore and inside of the receiver forks, everything. It is hard to plug a bore that is being immersed in 300 degree F liquid for half an hour (actual time and temp will vary due to chemicals used), actually the bluing adds some bore protection as well. In rust bluing the max temp is 212 degrees F. I always plug the bores on rust blues but never with salt bluing. Remember als that if a 1937 weapon was before the "t" block is should have a rust blued finish if probably done. It appears from TRL, Jan Still's excellent reference that from the 1936 "n" block Lugers to the time when the 1937 "t" block switched to salt bluing, that this range of Rust blued Lugers did NOT have the interior surfaces polished as before, an important fact to remember. The muzzles on post 1937 (salt blued) Lugers were left in the blued state when issued. I am sure that upon firing them, some of the bluing is burned away and the holsters and other adjacent objects may have also worn some of it off. Thor __________________ Thor's Luger Clinic http://members.rennlist.com/lugerman/ Ted Green (Thor Yaller Boots) 725 Western Hills Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 915-526-8925 Email thor340@aol.com ----------------------------------- John3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

06-17-2002, 12:28 PM	#3
AGE User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 597 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thor and others, I once had a 1911 reblued (maybe 30 years ago). Reputable shop and great job--but they blued everything. Dummy that I was, I didn't hold the small parts that I would have preferred in the white. Needless to say, they blued the barrel and bore. Not to worry, the bore blue didn't last 100 rounds. Today, the bore is shiny and bright. __________________ Al Eggers (AGE) NRA Life Member

06-18-2002, 06:54 PM	#5
wterrell User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thor, with the information about bluing on the inside of a barrel, you changed my life. <img src="graemlins/crying.gif" border="0" alt="[crying]" /> That information is too good. <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> __________________ Noli me vocare, ego te vocabo, wes --------------------

06-18-2002, 11:46 AM	#4
tracyp User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Peoples Republic of Kalifornia Posts: 391 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Great information Thor. I checked my 70's Mauser Luger and the inside of the barrel is blued. I have fired this pistol many times and the inside still remains blued.