First & foremost I realize Dr Gaddy, has studied this much more than I & has much greater knowledge of the subject than I. However a few of his statements do not stack up with my limited knowledge. "If" quenched below the critical temp, carbon steel does not harden, so the only hardness gained is from the increased amount of carbon. RE a piece of low carbon steel & one of high carbon, both in the annealed state, will have different hardness. The high carbon will be harder, but not to the extent of the case hardened gun frames I am familar with. As far as I can tell the makers "Did" quench from above the critical temp. However one other thought on this & perhaps Oscar for some reason missed it, or perhaps I am not underestanding what he is saying. 1400°F "Is" above the critical temperature for "High" carbon steel, but below it for "Low" carbon steel. This from "Machinery's Handbook". Critical temp varies according to the % of carbon, higher %'s having a lower CT than low %. It would seem to me Oscar was quenching at a temp above the critical temp of the case but below that of the core. This however is not what I understand he was saying, it seems he was saying when he dropped the temp to 1400° he was completely below the critical temp. This "Between Temp" may well be the secret of his success. I had incidently started a PM discussion of this matter with him, but "Unfortunately" too late. I hope everyone takes this in the right light, for I certainly had great respect for Oscar & his knowledge & abilities.
