Where might I find Dr. Gaddy's studies on case hardening? I've seen articles in Double Gun Journal on his techniques, but haven't seen any in depth analysis of case color chemistry.
On a side note, I do agree that these case colors can be somewhat fragile and may wear off rather quickly if not protected. But not always. Some case color jobs seem to hold up much better than average. For example, the case colors on my Thompson Center Hawken flintlock rifle's lock are still very vibrant and show almost no wear after over 30 years of use. This is the only gun I use for deer hunting, and it has been carried many many miles in all kinds of weather. Quite often, it is carried cradled under my arm or coat sleeve to keep rain or wet snow from getting into the pan. All of this rubbing from the sleeve on my coat plus exposure to the elements and black powder residue has barely put any noticeable wear on the colors.
