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#47429 07/08/07 08:59 PM
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dave1 Offline OP
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Has anyone finished a reciever in the dull grey that is referred
to as french grey. Did you use a chemical application or only
the final mechanical finish.

thanks Dave

dave1 #47435 07/08/07 09:36 PM
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Ken Hurst has a lot of knowledge about this process.

bbman3 #47448 07/08/07 10:53 PM
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I believe Ken uses a commercial bathroom cleaner with phosphuric acid. Evidently, the acid strength is about right for the etching.

Chuck H #47450 07/08/07 11:00 PM
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True French gray is an actual hardening process, similar to bone pack case color hardening, with the final quench being in a solution of potassium prussate, instead of water. The "tyde bowl" method cuts back blueing to a tasteful gray color, but, provides no hardening.
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Will any common acid do or is phospuric acid the best choice. I have tried using muriatic acid and the result was rather poor. The color is all I want not the protection of case hardening.

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Originally Posted By: Ted Schefelbein
True French gray is an actual hardening process, similar to bone pack case color hardening, with the final quench being in a solution of potassium prussate, instead of water. The "tyde bowl" method cuts back blueing to a tasteful gray color, but, provides no hardening.
Best,
Ted


Cyanide case coloring is used for French grey at least that's what this shop uses. You might want to look at this link, under Cyanide case coloring.

Ron's Gun Shop

BIG AL #47536 07/09/07 04:54 PM
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I actually looked in France, where actual, little French guys were doing it, just like I said. I don't doubt this guys method, or results, but, it wasn't what I've seen.
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Ted

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Ken Hurst and I are Carolina neighbors and I do some of his assembly,etc. in my shop. We have discussed his method of arriving at french grey several times. If memory serves me it goes like this. 1.Anneal and engrave piece. 2.Color case harden by charcoal pack method. 3.Remove colors using toilet bowl cleaner. 4.Cover surface with the dirtiest diesel crankcase oil you can find. Then Viola', "french grey". Best, Dr. BILL

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Like many metallurgical processes, it sounds like there have been many variations on French Gray, as was posted in a similar thread years ago here. For instance, I doubt that the Pigeon Supers are case hardened then quench etched. More likely, they are hardened as normal for martensitic steel and then etched.

Chuck H #47558 07/09/07 07:46 PM
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Mr/ Chuck, that filth diesel oil I use has a certain amount of sulferic acid in it. The older/longer the oil is kept in the motor, the more acid seems to develop. The etching process of the acid is so minor that the surface of the gun simply turns gray but doesn't apear to have an etched /rough finish. FWIW, Ken



Ken Hurst
910-221-5288
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