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

There was a Nichols and Lefever hammer gun on one of the internet sites very recently. The pics weren't the best but you could tell the gun had patina barrels, worn checkering, dents and little stock finish... and a brilliant vibrant new case color job on the receiver. The colors looked great, but very much out of place. I'd have preferred to see this nearly 140 year old piece with a patina or very faded case receiver. In this case (no pun intended) the new case colors probably reduced the value of the gun.

If you want to invest the time and money it can be done. You can browse my blog posts for free where I've posted my processes and results. I love the challenge and if you are keen I thoroughly recommend it to you. There is no better feeling dipping your hands in the quench bath an pulling out a nicely coloured part but be ready for problems if you don't get it right. For me it's that risk that makes it exciting for me! Try my blog at http://www.vintageshotgun.com

Best
TT

That line is Very Important. One needs to insure they either do it (or have it done) Right, or Don't do it at all. Be certain the process used not only re-colors, but also re-hardens, the parts. If not live with what colors you have, or don't have, the original hard case was not lost, only the colors.
There are several outfits who have done much research into this & can do a good job.

I am a great one for Doing it Myself, but this is not a job for a DIY'er unless you are willing to do a lot of investigating & a considerable outlay of cash for the start-up. From a previous thread on this subject a few weeks back it appears that B'999 has done his study well & had some good help. You would likely do well to listen to what he has to say on the subject.

I've just put bag loads of research in and pant filling trials. Happy to help anyone with my understanding of how to do things or not..there are plenty of cleverer people than me out there and on these forums. PA24 being one very clever bod who has done more than me...but just shout or email/private message me if you want any views/feedback.

Cheers
T

I just love it when people like Mr Ken Rise answer a Q with such
authority...what the hell does he know what this guy Dav from Oz wants to do with the info he gets from people who actually know how to do it?
I'm sure he's going to stick his H&H in the oven wrapped in piss soaked newspaper, right?
How did the guys who do it well learn?
It wasn't from a non answer like yours Ken, that's for sure.
It's his hunk of metal, leave him alone.
I find it a fascinating subject too, & would love to mess around with it.
Good luck Dav
Franc