Would you please tell us how to do a French Gray?
I'm no expert on this technique, and would probably leave it up to your gunsmith. There have been a number of threads on this BBS over the past few years regarding various ways to achieve a French Gray finish, and a search should turn them up. Probably the simplest was based on application of common oven cleaner to slightly etch the surface. If the case hardening is intact (even though the color is gone) the surface should be pretty much rust resistant, especially if waxed or oiled. I think Ken Hurst was one of those with a few tricks for getting the French Gray finish. Ken?
