ChucK:
I have no idea when Hunter Arms first began to use cynaide, or how much of that substance was used in hardening (although it certainly seems to have been used for all, or the majority of the Fulton guns); but cynaide was being used in the hardening process. During my research on Smith engraver, Charles Jerred, I learned cynaide had been in use for some unknown time prior to Jerred's employment in 1945. According to his notes, his original employment was being assigned to the case hardening department, which process took place in a poorly ventilated area; and with few safety precautions. On one occassion, his eyes were badly burned by cynaide (was not explained to me how the accident occurred), and he was unable to see. His wife was called to the gunworks and lead him by the hand to their home nearby. He was unable return to the gunworks until he recovered; and it was after that accident that he applied for a position in the engraving department. His son attributes the deterioation of his father's health and his untimely death at age 62 to his exposure to cynaide while working in the metal hardending department.
