seems like every time this subject of shotgun receiver re case coloring vs. receiver re case hardening comes up, someone accuses me of "torching guns", which implies that i condone the use of an acetylene torch or other high heat producing source to heat up a shotgun receiver, in an open air, uncontrolled environment; in an effort to obtain the appearance of case colors. this practice sounds haphazard at best, and should be opposed by all who value fine guns. i know i do! for the record, i will repeat again here what i have posted on this subject a few times in the past:
I myself do not do any gun work of any kind. I have neither the skills nor the patience. Instead, i utilize the services of Ed Lander, for most of my repair and enhancement needs. Old Ed has over 60 years of experience in the gunsmithing trade and does fine work at a fair price. He has re colored literally hundreds if not thousands of sxs shotgun receivers using his low controlled heat, chemical process. For those who did not get it the first time, i will repeat: low controlled heat, chemical process.
Ed Lander has developed his techniques over many years of trial and error. He uses different chemical formulas to simulate different factory colors for different guns, depending on when they were made. For example, his work is so precise, that he can closely duplicate Philadelphia Fox colors, vs. Savage Fox colors. I am not sure, but i do believe he uses a potters kiln or similar device to precisely control heat. What i do know, for sure, is that his top priorities in all of his work are shooter safety and customer satisfaction.
Also, i wish to state here again that much of the criticism of old ed's case color work seems to come from those who make money pursuing the risky and dangerous practice of shotgun receiver re case hardening, in the vain effort to restore case colors.
I know this thread threatens the future business of the likes of sxs shotgun restorers and engravers; but the facts are the facts, as sadly discussed in this thread. all should be aware of the risks involved when contemplating messing with the original factory receiver heat treating of older sxs guns. the only good that i can see coming from this story, is that there are now perhaps a set of o frame parker barrels and hopefully, some nice wood available for use in the restoration of other fine guns. so it goes....
Last edited by ed good; 11/08/10 04:15 PM.
