....the top tang snapped off, too brittle....
....I agree with everything you posted Miller.
Just curious Steve, did the tang seem to have a soft core or did it seem to have enough carbon in the core to through harden?
I think by the book heat treating will generally say that a good bit more than .3% carbon ends up in the case. If its hardened, it still may end up in the relatively brittle range as tool steels go, but I believe that case is only supposed to be a few thousandths thick, and the core is not supposed to be able to harden. Im pretty sure drawing is generally part of the process, but it may have to be limited to not change the colors that formed.
If hardening is truly part of the gun finish process, Id think a shop could promise a rockwell hardness. I dont know that they are able to. It may just be that high carbon steel with a skin of oxide on it is more wear resistant than than low carbon steel under it. Im not saying hardening isnt happening, only that I think therere other priorities when it comes to gun finishes. Thanks for commenting about your experiences.
