doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Case Coloring

Clapper Zapper posted

CZ, It might be more accurate to describe it as a hazard rather than a risk in modern plating shops. A hazard only presents itself as a risk when you don't do anything about it. Given the established and recognised methods of handling cyanides, there is very little risk of anything nasty happening. As I said fatalities from accidents are virtually unknown.

Most plating shops stink anyway; violets would be a great improvement! I always thought CN smelled of marzipan or almonds, and to this day I loathe both. Some cyanide plating processes when running hot give off ammonia, and I'm not overly keen on that either!!

Eug

All true; Of course if rifle for high pressure cartridges happens to be a bolt action if the steel for the bolt lugs & their seats in the receiver were of that same mid-twenties Rc hardness it would be only a few shots until it had developed Dangerously Excessive head space. Both the steel & its treatments need to be selected according to use.
I will simply say, that to the best of my knowledge the older doubles made of low carbon steel were "Proofed" In The White. That even in this form they were adequately strong is evidenced by the fact they passed. They were however "Not" left in this condition & for a reason other than just the colors. "IF" I had a frame made of 4140 as long as it was in my possession it would "NOT" intentionally be exposed to temps in the 1200�F range. Nuff Said.

Sorry about that Miller, I suspected it could be taken as argumentative, but it was just an illustration of one way 4140 is used in gunmaking.

Eugene, Please don't interpret my comments in any offensive manner.
If you acidify even if by accident any small quantity of the common CN salts, you create an exposure risk of some severity. Not to mention essential safe handling requirements of the salts themselves.

Our OSHA specifications for nitriding with CN compounds are pretty strict. And very expensive to implement.

Is there any difference in the durability between cyanide and bone and charcoal? I understand the Savage 311 is cyanide treated. I have had one since I was in my teens and have used it extensively for over 35 years. It seems there is very little wear of the colors on the receiver however the blueing on the trigger guard is well worn.

The last conversation I had with Dr. Gaddy we discussed the possibility of coloring in the 600 - 800 F range and thought it could be done. Note that the color has to do with the thickness of the coating. Note that temper colors start to appear in the 400 F range and are done by 650 F. Temper colors seem to be films of relatively pure iron oxide whereas CH colors seem to involve more complex compounds via the "impurities" in the quench.

I don't know if anyone has tried forming CH colors at reduced temperatures, but I'd surely like to know if anyone has, suceed or fail.

DDA

A low, controlled heat process, combined with specific chemicals is the safest way to recolor a shotgun receiver. So long as the heat is kept low and controlled, the original receiver metallurgy and heat treatment is not changed. No harm is done to the gun nor is there any potential for danger to the shooter, as a result of the re coloring process.

Ed...will you ever give up ?

This is a perfect example.

Of why this BSS is populated by a host of unassailable experts.

Not.

Well please enlighten us.....your contributions to the board have been quite deep so far. Maybe some more snide comments to show the depth of your knowledge on the subject? Sitting on edge of my seat waiting to learn more from you.
Steve