doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com French Grey?

What is French Grey and how is it produced? Is this a charcoal heat coloring brought to lower temperature?

True French grey hardening is a process very similar to bone pack charcoal hardening, except the final quench occurs in a solution of potassium prussiate, instead of water. By playing with the chemistry of the quench, colors from pewter to almost a silver plate appearence, are possible.
It is no more, or less durable than bone pack case colors.
Some people blue metal parts of a gun, and cut the blue back with an acid, to get an even, silver color on the finished project, but, calling it French Grey is incorrect.

I call that process, "Tidy Bowl Grey".

Best,
Ted

Walter Grass blued the receiver and cut it back with abrasive, ending with fine emery powder on oiled steelwool. He refused to use acid due to danger of rusting. With the steelwool you just work until the color is nice and even. It really makes the engraving show up, and if you want some areas blue(black),just don't cut it back. Also not "real" French Grey but looks very nice and lasts well.
Mike

Tidy bowl grey version here.

Jay

I love that, Jay.
JR

Thanks John. The photo is so poor, wish I could do better showing how good Ray Cover's work is.

Jay