I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that the steel can be Colored at these lower tempertures. My only unresolved question at this time is "Is it desirable to re-color at the expense of the hardness". It has been pointed out & correctly so as far as I know, that at least most doubles which underwent proof did so "In the White". This would indicate they withstood proof without the benefit of the hardening. There are other considerations of course. Most seem to believe that from the beginning the primary purpose was for the Hardening & the coloring developed as a welcome, but secondary, factor. Consider for instance a 100+ yr old gun with ejectors which are set by being pushed in by rubbing down the breech face in closing. These 100 yrs & several thousands of times having been fired & closed would that breech face be in near so great condition had it not been "Glass Hard". I am not trying to belittle anyone elses choice or even sway opinion but trying to mull things over in my on mind & just perhaps throw out a little food for thought. As it stands right now though there are two things I don't want to happen. I don't want to send off one of my doubles & have
#1-Come back warped & with a poor fit
OR
#2-Have it come back significantly softer at the surface than it went off.
So far the risk of one or the other of these happening has just seemed to me to be too great, so I have decided to live with mine as they are.
