Friends:
Oscar's conclusions, which were written up here(maybe Dave has them archived somewhere? ) left no doubt. Having suffered two computer crashes since those discussions, (circa 2000?) I dont have copies. Nonetheless, Dr. Gaddy's conclusions were not equivocal, Oscar said : " NO, sunlight did NOT fade case colors."
As others have pointed out, the colors are produced by a micro-thin oxide layer. Oxide is a polite term for " rust" in this case. An illustration Oscar used sticks in my mind : " If sunlight fades case colors, then sunlight should make a rusted Chevy engine block 'unrust'.
Abrasion wears the case colors off the action - the oxides are not very tightly bound to the metal surface. Even minimal handling can cause wear. The reason that the fore end iron remains with intact case color is that it is not touched. Sunlight has no effect on rust.
The reason that so many field grade Fluzies and similar market guns are encountered " shiny" or appearing to be "nickled" is that in the 50's and 60's, polishing the damaged case colors was a cheap and easy way for the hobby-ist to spiff up granddad's old gun. Shiny receiver guns are frequently found with hot-blued barrels, or at least reworked barrels; another evidence of a poorly thought out refurb.
Regards
GKT
