I have done park and cerakote, but never hot salts. Been thinking about cooking up a batch and giving it a shot though.
I tried doing some Manganese parkerizing, didn't have much success, I need to experiment some more. I have also played with rust bluing, heat bluing and am now doing Nitre bluing
I sometimes have trouble getting the finish to be perfect despite being meticulous about my prep work. I think I need to change out my gas heating element, I am thinking the solution may be getting too hot on one end?
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: sqlbullet on September 19, 2014, 11:11:02 am
I found the manganese park to be reasonably forgiving. Sandblast, acetone, boil and look for tell-tale rainbow in the water that indicates some lingering oil/greese. If absent, park tank until it stops fizzing.
I then shot my with cerakote and baked it. But the park was nice and even.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: sqlbullet on September 19, 2014, 11:15:42 am
more can be seen here: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...n-project.html (http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2013/05/father-son-project.html)
This poor Ruger was left for year(s) in the back of a Jeep that was parked out in the weather. The gun was thought to be junk, but thanks to someone using grease as a lube and a thoroughly leaded bore, the damage was only cosmetic
you can see the full write up here: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...loved-gun.html (http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2013/08/redemption-for-unloved-gun.html)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on October 08, 2014, 11:45:48 pm
(http://i.imgur.com/pQqWl5tl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/pQqWl5t) (http://i.imgur.com/lcUux5vl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/lcUux5v) (http://i.imgur.com/4s7AoiHl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/4s7AoiH) (http://i.imgur.com/j1LmxUKl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/j1LmxUK) more can be seen here: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...-projects.html (http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...-projects.html)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on October 08, 2014, 11:48:02 pm
This was a brand new in the box Marlin 1894 Cowboy .357. The original buyer had put the gun away when it was a humid day or when the surface was wet, the styrofoam box created some nasty cancer
see more here: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2014/10/another-shotgun-project-remington-model.html (http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2014/10/another-shotgun-project-remington-model.html) http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2014/10/another-shotgun-project-remington-model_10.html (http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2014/10/another-shotgun-project-remington-model_10.html)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: RMc on April 19, 2015, 06:27:58 pm
Inexpensive alternate source of blueing salts - Stump Remover.
That is actually nitre blueing, not hot salts bluing. The difference is nitre bluing is a form of heat bluing and the color is due to the hardening of the steel (like a set of chrome headers on a V-8 or a motorcycle). The heat in nitre bluing gets to 570-600 degrees, hot salts bluing is about 1/2 that (270-290 degrees)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: MTK20 on August 06, 2015, 11:56:26 am
As someone who has little experience in restoring anything firearm related, the pictures of your work are like magic. I don't understand how you can bring so much pitting and rust "back from the dead" leaving the guns with such lustre and looking new again.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on August 06, 2015, 01:33:00 pm
It is as much art as it is science, young padawan. :cool
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on September 30, 2015, 07:16:02 pm
another one saved
TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: The Phoenix Project: The Resurrection of a Colt Trooper MK III: part 5 (http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-phoenix-project-resurrection-of.html)
before and after pics....go to the blog to see more pics and the whole story of the restoration
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Splodge Of Doom on December 28, 2015, 09:04:21 pm
Wow - that's absolutely gorgeous.
I'm curious to know how the make up of the steel affects the bluing - can you predict the final colour from the grade of the steel? Presumably it's one of the additives having that effect - the ~0.02% manganese or whatever random elements turn up in steel formulations in tiny amounts.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Mikee5star on December 28, 2015, 09:46:28 pm
That turned out beautifully, I am not jealous of your polishing time, but the skill.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on December 29, 2015, 12:32:53 am
I'm curious to know how the make up of the steel affects the bluing - can you predict the final colour from the grade of the steel? Presumably it's one of the additives having that effect - the ~0.02% manganese or whatever random elements turn up in steel formulations in tiny amounts.
I have heard different things, one person says its Moybdenum others say silicon, some say its the chromium.....I'm not sure what it is, but Dan Wessons and others have suffered the same fate.
You cab see that only the main frame and grip frame have turned plum. The barrel is a nice black and they were attached to each other when I blued it.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Plebian on December 30, 2015, 05:19:22 pm
I have heard different things, one person says its Moybdenum others say silicon, some say its the chromium.....I'm not sure what it is, but Dan Wessons and others have suffered the same fate.
You cab see that only the main frame and grip frame have turned plum. The barrel is a nice black and they were attached to each other when I blued it.
It might be interesting to grab some steel samples to blue and record the effects.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on July 22, 2016, 12:18:23 pm
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: luke213(adamsholsters) on August 21, 2017, 11:54:16 am
I had been meaning to go through this thread again sadly I realized I was more than a year behind;) But man nice work, someday maybe I'll have the time to mess around with some of this sort of thing as well as the nitrite bluing mentioned above. I've got several old user guns that could use a touch up;)
Either way love the work.
Luke
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on November 13, 2017, 04:47:19 pm
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: MTK20 on November 13, 2017, 08:19:50 pm
:o :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: First Shirt on November 15, 2017, 04:02:03 pm
Nicely done! Very nicely done, indeed! :clap
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on January 16, 2018, 09:42:22 am
Thanks guys!
I finished another one, this one is a Western Field model 45, made by Savage
blog post link: https://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/2018/01/western-field-45-project-part-3.html
(https://i.imgur.com/ayXzyvTl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/dD3JxLCl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KFDCXltl.jpg)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: LowKey on January 21, 2018, 03:51:03 pm
I just inherited some firearms that have less that perfect finishes. Any advice on how to remove rust, et al without destroying the existing bluing?
Also, if anyone here is an "expert" on Serbian Mausers I'd love some help identifying one that my father had...lots of very nice engraving (no inlay), looks sportarized and very few markings (no caliber markings that I can find either).
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Kaso on January 22, 2018, 01:28:33 pm
Also, if anyone here is an "expert" on Serbian Mausers I'd love some help identifying one that my father had...lots of very nice engraving (no inlay), looks sportarized and very few markings (no caliber markings that I can find either).
Firstly, we are sorry to hear about your loss. Hopefully your family can settle everything smoothly, and with a minimum of drama.
To the Mauser, while I am far from an expert, I do find them fascinating, especially the one-offs such as yours. There would be no way to tell for sure, but I have seen some of them that were actually sporterized during the Yugoslav wars. Kitchen table jobs, some are better than others. Aside from Mausers, the slavs also had a propensity to do 'trench art' on their AKs, so they had a strong culture of weapon modification. It would be great if you could share some pictures of the rifle in question.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: LowKey on January 24, 2018, 04:00:56 pm
To the Mauser, while I am far from an expert, I do find them fascinating, especially the one-offs such as yours. There would be no way to tell for sure, but I have seen some of them that were actually sporterized during the Yugoslav wars. Kitchen table jobs, some are better than others. Aside from Mausers, the slavs also had a propensity to do 'trench art' on their AKs, so they had a strong culture of weapon modification. It would be great if you could share some pictures of the rifle in question.
Absolutely. While I doubt it's anything exotic I would like to know what I now have. The receiver has me stumped, as it is polygonal rather than round. If I've read some of the markings correctly it's from/for the Artillery Technical Institute. Beyond that I have no idea. (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/27/2f/EfTmY20Q_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/EfTmY20Q) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c5/5f/oYMlYfuv_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/oYMlYfuv) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/ce/2a/AiNXpxJV_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/AiNXpxJV) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/ef/11/uocwsiCc_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/uocwsiCc) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/6a/5e/wHvusy1R_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/wHvusy1R) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/d5/57/g93YPyEc_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/g93YPyEc) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/53/5a/2AETrHxx_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/2AETrHxx) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/c8/1e/IXtSJ9gy_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/IXtSJ9gy) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/54/5e/Q6YwWUN1_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/Q6YwWUN1) (https://thumbs2.imgbox.com/3d/59/txcdn2Sb_t.jpg) (http://imgbox.com/txcdn2Sb)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: tokugawa on January 24, 2018, 09:32:35 pm
I am no mauser expert, but my best guess is that rifle is the product of a student at a gunsmith school or training facility. It is a sporting rifle conversion of a military arm, and is not top flight work of a master gunsmith.
There are a few really good Mauser forums around, I like the one on gunboards.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Mikee5star on January 24, 2018, 09:35:44 pm
That is a cool old rifle.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Kaso on January 25, 2018, 12:39:14 pm
I am no mauser expert, but my best guess is that rifle is the product of a student at a gunsmith school or training facility. It is a sporting rifle conversion of a military arm, and is not top flight work of a master gunsmith.
I have to agree. A kitchen table job... but damn, it's not bad. Do we think that any of ourselves could do better?
It may be the work of an apprentice gunsmith, but I am still guessing (wildly) that it was a home job. Or an apprentice gunsmith's 'first project.' It's just a little too... rough... for a schoolhouse project. But I could be wrong. Most telling, in picture 3, the top 'flat' doesn't appear to be very well indexed to the 12oclock position. The bolt is another tell. As rough as it is, I don't know if even a student gunsmith would leave it that rough.
I also can not read Serbian, but the Cyrillic markings does seem to pin it down to there. If it was a Czech Mauser, or really anywhere else, it would probably have latin script. Does anyone here understand Serbian?
As far as caliber, unless it was rebarreled, it is almost certainly 8mm Mauser. One way to tell would be to mic the bore. If it comes out to a hair under 8mm, then try to chamber a round. If it chambers easily, then you could be a sure as you can, short of visiting a gunsmith - which you should, anyway. I say 8mm, because Serbian, Czech, Greek, and Romanian Mausers were all in 8mm. Basically, all the military rifles shipped to that part of Europe. If the markings were in Spanish, I would be much less sure.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: LowKey on January 26, 2018, 09:32:05 am
Thanks, folks. The flats on the receiver had me a bit puzzled when it came to identifying the gun, all the examples I'd seen on-line had round receivers and markings were on top of them. Wish I knew what the K&S marking on the magazine meant. I will say that it seems to balance beautifully.
I think I'll try using some brake fluid to remove the rust, being careful to keep it off the wood to preserve the finish.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on February 17, 2018, 10:49:10 am
Just finished this one, a 1905 vintage Marlin model of 1893
(https://i.imgur.com/1zjEEyBl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Xvq7CFnl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/s7q3RBjl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MFxSF2el.jpg)
see more pictures and links to the entire restoration at the link below
Did you have to re-fresh the markings? If so great job. If not great job on the sanding around the old markings. That is a fine, fine blueing job.
Yes, if you read the blog posts, it details what we did. I found some high resolution images of some original roll marks and took them to a laser engraver. He had the images digitized into vector graphics that were optimized for his laser machine and he recut them so perfectly, I doubt anyone but a purist could tell.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on April 08, 2018, 11:13:27 am
Yes. I have read a number of your blog posts and your dedication to your craft is remarkable. Have you considered taking on an apprentice?
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on June 12, 2018, 01:02:43 am
haven't shot it yet, my parents moved....between helping them move, cleaning up the old house and spending every sunny weekend we could in the boat, we have had no time to go shooting :(
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on August 23, 2018, 11:13:01 pm
:o
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: RMc on August 25, 2018, 07:29:39 pm
Family comes first. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on September 25, 2018, 02:09:43 pm
I bought this Savage/Stevens model 325C last year for $100, I reblued the steel and added a nicely figured walnut stock
(https://i.imgur.com/agWCuHfl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/sEh3Pahl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/oyJLnfPl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/WY7YXlgl.jpg)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on September 25, 2018, 02:16:19 pm
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on September 25, 2018, 05:17:20 pm
Nicely done, sir. :thumbup1 That walnut stock is worth more than the rifle sold for when it was new and so is that nice old Marble's sight. Good to see someone lavishing the attention on these old classics that they deserve.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on October 09, 2018, 09:33:04 am
We picked up the Mark II for a song, it needed a rebluing, so I cleaned it up for him
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Mikee5star on December 19, 2018, 10:33:46 am
Very nice work. I do like the lines on the 512.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: mattitude on January 05, 2019, 07:35:38 pm
What do you recommend that replicates the deep royal blue that Colt used on the early Pythons? My 1967 vintage Python is looking pretty thin and I'm more experienced with Belgian Blue, but I'm looking for something deeper & richer and more like original finish.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: MTK20 on January 05, 2019, 09:44:21 pm
What do you recommend that replicates the deep royal blue that Colt used on the early Pythons? My 1967 vintage Python is looking pretty thin and I'm more experienced with Belgian Blue, but I'm looking for something deeper & richer and more like original finish.
You're a braver man than I am. I'd be sweating bullets just thinking about messing with the finish on a Colt Python :hide .
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on January 13, 2019, 11:09:42 pm
What do you recommend that replicates the deep royal blue that Colt used on the early Pythons? My 1967 vintage Python is looking pretty thin and I'm more experienced with Belgian Blue, but I'm looking for something deeper & richer and more like original finish.
The royal blue finish was the level of polishing, not the bluing. The Pythons were blued in the same fashion as all Colts, but the polishing is what made the difference. Polishing to that level is really an art, one that has to be learned over time.
For that I would take it to someone who specializes in Colt restorations, like Turnbull.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on January 24, 2019, 07:50:41 am
I took this pile of parts and made it into a Remington 870 Police Shotgun, old school style (1970's vintage), best part is I have less than $60 invested
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on January 24, 2019, 02:16:02 pm
Beautiful job. :thumbup1 Of course, it wouldn't be worth the effort if the Remington 870 Wingmaster wasn't such a solid basic gun to begin with. They really are a classic, generational design that remains as relevant today as the day they were first introduced. Nicely done, sir with regards to your work but also to show the uninitiated just what is possible. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: ZeroTA on January 24, 2019, 06:57:16 pm
Daaang, son. Looks a little better than rattle can Krylon.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Mikee5star on January 24, 2019, 11:26:22 pm
Very nice. Some of that pitting was deep, good choice on leaving some vs removing the markings.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on January 26, 2019, 11:38:32 am
that is always the compromise.....unless I want to spend the money to have the markings re-engraved
Watched a "Forgotten Weapon" video right after commenting on this, where Ian had a conversation with a retired machinist who rebuilds guns. In this case it was a pre-WWI semi-auto, even though he reduced the markings to barely visible then had them re-cut by an engraver, he still did not get rid of all the evidence of pitting. So it is always a compromise. But I still hate seeing a re-finishing job that obliterates the markings.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on February 08, 2019, 03:42:36 pm
If the gun and budget command it I just remove them and have the reapplied.
This is a Marlin model of 1893 that after sanding you couldn't see any of the roll marks, but I had details of their exact location and size along with some hi resolution images. A guy with a laser engraver recut them, they look pretty close to original
(https://i.imgur.com/S2qeTLjl.jpg)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: MTK20 on February 08, 2019, 03:56:44 pm
Bluing is beautiful. I wish modern guns were still blued :thumbup1 .
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Mikee5star on February 08, 2019, 11:17:50 pm
That just turned out beautiful. I love blueing that looks like you could just fall into it.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on March 25, 2019, 07:12:20 pm
Here is a retro-10/22 I built. I has a vintage walnut Finger Groove Sporter stock, a steel receiver (from Kingston Armory), new take-off barrel and new anodized aluminum trigger housing (from Pike Arms). The steel parts were given a 5000 grit polished finish and blued in hot salts.
I guess I need to quit avoiding garage sales. That was a steal.
probably should have clarified, the stock is a factory made one from Ruger. They were available from 1966 through 1970/71. I had been wanting one, but they usually sell for $250+ (just the stock), when I stumbled across this one, I snapped it up.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on April 13, 2019, 10:13:40 am
Here is a Savage 110 that I refinished recently, it wasn't heavily pitted, just small rust spots and some worn bluing from field use.
I polished the barrel to a gloss shine, then gave the bolt handle and receiver a matte finish. I think it turned out pretty good
(https://i.imgur.com/vHVTmBNl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/FhWh7bBl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/2mNi2axl.jpg)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: MTK20 on April 13, 2019, 04:46:44 pm
I hope you make money off of your work. Your bluing is beautiful :thumbup1 .
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on April 14, 2019, 12:27:50 am
Yup. Nice work. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on May 21, 2019, 10:07:34 pm
Another one saved....this one a New Haven 250C (Mossberg economy brand)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: ksuguy on June 09, 2019, 08:46:45 pm
Damn it, Century! I love the fact that they bring guns and parts in for us. Someone has to do it! However, they also do stuff like this, or they take good parts kits that could be built into fine rifles and turn them into hack job abortions.
If they had to put their markings on there, couldn't they have done it up under the grip? Or at least not used a completely hideous electropencil?
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on June 10, 2019, 12:12:36 am
Agreed. Nice job on the restoration though. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: LowKey on June 10, 2019, 06:44:52 pm
Curious, what is the legal status of removing some of the markings? I've a few EAA Witness pistols which have some unpleasing to me marks.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on July 24, 2019, 09:18:02 am
Curious, what is the legal status of removing some of the markings? I've a few EAA Witness pistols which have some unpleasing to me marks.
There is a letter (or three) floating around from the BATFE. Import marks are only important if the gun was not manufactured in the U.S. Because this gun already had a U.S. MFG serial number, the import marks (if they even are the result of being repatriated) are meaningless and can be removed.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on July 24, 2019, 09:19:54 am
Stevens model 73, the previous owner gave up on the project stating that he could not find a replacement for the lost bolt. I was able to find the bolt and refinished the rifle, I have less than $23 in the project
Before and after pictures
(https://i.imgur.com/ypT4yURl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IG2RkMLl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/MM9bKFnl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/nhafeyil.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Sbmvqi0l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VyR9mYLl.jpg)
I decided it needed a sling, so I made one from an old leather belt
There is a letter (or three) floating around from the BATFE. Import marks are only important if the gun was not manufactured in the U.S. Because this gun already had a U.S. MFG serial number, the import marks (if they even are the result of being repatriated) are meaningless and can be removed.
To the best of my knowledge EAA imports the Witness from Italy where it is made by Tanfoglio, unless EAA has tooled up and begun production here in the US recently.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on July 25, 2019, 03:48:46 pm
Nice work on that little Stevens. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Mikee5star on July 26, 2019, 01:25:10 am
I guess I could look at your blog, but I am going to ask here. Are you a professional gunsmith? Are you selling these projects? Do you do any for the public? Your work is fantastic.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on September 17, 2019, 09:03:24 am
another month another project. This one is a Hi-Standard HD Military pistol
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on October 19, 2019, 01:14:52 am
That is beautiful work. I don't remember them looking that good when they were new. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on November 26, 2019, 09:45:48 am
Another month, another refinished gun. This one is a Mossberg model 380 semi-auto .22 rifle. Someone had spilled or exposed the rifle to a chemical that caused some localized corrosion. Anyway, I removed the pits and polished the metal before rebluing it via the hot salts method.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on November 26, 2019, 08:39:50 pm
Beautiful restoration job. I like the fact that you take on such projects on many " blue collar " guns that the average shooter might have at home.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on December 23, 2019, 11:44:46 am
Thanks for the encouragement, a lot of my projects are cheaper guns, for a variety of reasons. One, I think, is because .22 rifles and most shotguns are affordable to purchase and are more likely to be purchased by non "gun people" who don't know the proper way to care for a firearm and thus they get neglected.
Anyway here is another one, this one is a Remington 512 Sportmaster (the second one I have done). It wasn't in too bad of shape, the stock needed some cleaning up. Then I polished and reblued most of the steel parts
Very nice work. :thumbup1 Have you tried using a stain beneath the MinWax and if so how do you like the results?
no not yet, I suppose I should have on the Remington stocks that had some of the lighter sap wood. This is all a learning process and I learn something on almost every project, just wish I had more time, money and room....
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on March 13, 2020, 11:20:46 am
So here is another 10/22 project, this one may be the nicest 10/22 I have ever owned...
I was able to purchase a few of the left over steel 10/22 receivers from the failed Kingston Armory. They were building M1 & M1A tribute rifles using a 10/22 action as the basis for the rifle. They had some 10/22 receiver copies cast in steel and then machined. Anyway since I blue guns I decided to buy some of the receivers "in the white" (bare steel) and give them a high polish blue. I polished the receiver to a 5000 grit finish. Then I took one of my extra new-take-off barrels and give it the same high polish blue job. Then I bought a new anodized aluminum trigger housing from Pike Arms and a new walnut International stock (factory Ruger) from S&P Outfitters.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on March 13, 2020, 11:36:57 am
Outstanding. :thumbup1 That is a seriously nice project and I imagine the balance of that rifle with the steel receiver and the full length stock is nice as well. I've always thought the bog standard 10/22 was a little prone to shooter error because its so light and short. Beautiful work, as always.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: cpaspr on March 13, 2020, 05:09:38 pm
Ooh! Mannlicher stock.
I have a .30 M-1 Carbine that's a near twin. (Or at least a 2nd cousin.)
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: booksmart on March 13, 2020, 06:14:41 pm
Nice work! She's a beauty!
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: Mikee5star on March 15, 2020, 05:58:15 pm
That shows how much work and effort goes into high blue finishes. Very nice work.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on April 21, 2020, 10:08:13 am
I have another one! This is a Smith & Wesson model 27 from the early 70's, some previous owner engraved their driver's license number on the gun, in two places....it also had some holster wear and mild rust pitting...I removed the graffiti and polished it up, then reblued it.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: booksmart on April 21, 2020, 11:38:11 am
I always look forward to the pics in your thread, dude. Nice work!
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on April 21, 2020, 07:33:54 pm
Agreed. I imagine those S&W side plates are a little tricky but I'd say you just made that gun worth a lot more money than before the restoration job. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on May 25, 2020, 06:31:06 pm
thanks guys
Here is another one, I bought this Winchester model 77 from a local forum member who thought it was just a wall hanger.....
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on June 17, 2020, 02:22:27 pm
Looks like one of the old "original" Standard models. Good old pistols. Your work seems impeccable - as always. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on September 25, 2020, 10:18:27 am
Thanks for the kind words.....it helps my ego, as anyone who does restorations (of any kind) I am my worst critic.
Anyway, here is another one:
This one started as just a stock that someone gave me. Someone had cut off the barrel band portion of the forend and painted it black, then put it on a belt sander...then gave up...the stock is an original walnut one...so I decided to try and make lemonade out of this lemon. I added a Kingston Armory steel receiver and new take-off barrel, both were polished to a 5000 grit and hot blued. I modified the stock by adding finger grooves, adding flutes to the comb, redefining the grip area, adding a grip cap and sling swivels mimicking those of the Finger Groove Sporter model. I then refinished the aluminum butt plate and aluminum trigger housing in graphite black Cerakote.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on September 25, 2020, 10:48:19 pm
Very classy looking restoration. :thumbup1 Have you looked at the Little Crow Gunworks recoil lug for the Ruger 10/22 ? I like the looks of that piece and was wondering if you had any experience with it. Seems an easier solution to improving accuracy than threading the receiver and using a threaded aftermarket barrel.
https://www.littlecrowgunworks.com
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on December 04, 2020, 03:55:36 pm
Here is last month's project: I took a $50 Marlin model 60 and created the "Super Deluxe Edition"
Rifle: 1988 vintage Model 60 with 18 round magazine and 22" barrel Magazine: Brass 18 round magazine from "Golden 50 model" Stock: Walnut thumbhole stock from Boyd's, fitted with factory Marlin butt plate Trigger/Trigger Guard: Aluminum anodized from DIP Upgrades: MCARBO trigger spring kit New factory feed throat, recoil spring and buffer newer Polished & jeweled bolt newer stainless charging handle Williams Fire Sights (fiber optic) High polish blued barrel Cerakoted receiver in graphite black
Now the pictures
(https://i.imgur.com/37Nb7O3l.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/PNFSzXWl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/xu7XlpLl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/VoOPbRfl.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/cmDyUsTl.jpg)
and the blog posts with all the detail and pictures
TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: The Marlin Model 60 Super Deluxe Project Part 1
TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: The Marlin Model 60 Super Deluxe Project Part 2
TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: The Marlin Model 60 Super Deluxe Project Part 3
TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: The Marlin Model 60 Super Deluxe Project Part 4
TINCANBANDIT's Gunsmithing: The Marlin Model 60 Super Deluxe Project Part 5
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on December 04, 2020, 08:48:07 pm
Beautiful little rifle. The brass magazine tube really sets it off in terms of looks. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: LowKey on December 05, 2020, 12:26:02 am
Gorgeous.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: booksmart on December 05, 2020, 09:06:00 pm
How're the ergonomics and fit on that Boyd's? I've been eyeing one of those for that HOWA .308 action I have...
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on January 22, 2021, 12:06:17 pm
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on May 30, 2021, 06:08:12 pm
A couple of beauties for sure. I actually like the matte finish on the Remington stock better than the original finish. It contrasts nicely with the re-blued metal and is probably easier to keep looking nice in the bargain. :thumbup1
That old Winchester had been rode hard and put up wet, as the old saying goes. A fine looking restoration and a very nice job on taking out that big goober on the stock near the butt plate. Did you just refresh and refit the original recoil pad or is that a new one? :hmm
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on June 28, 2021, 02:09:00 pm
Another one, this is a cheap little Stevens model 73, only needed the barrel reblued and a good cleaning, came out pretty nice
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on June 28, 2021, 02:18:32 pm
Looks good. :thumbup1 Those little bolt action single shot .22's are still plentiful and there's no reason not to have one in the personal battery IMO. They are useful out of all proportion to their modest cost.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on July 16, 2021, 01:23:54 pm
Here is another one I did: a Remington 511 Scoremaster, the owner brought me the parts about 3/4s polished, so I finished the polishing, blued them and painted the ready-fire and safe indicators as well as did some nitre bluing on some small parts
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: booksmart on August 26, 2021, 09:23:35 am
:thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: sqlbullet on August 26, 2021, 10:55:56 am
That hurts me a bit. I had a model 19 in college that I sold. Wish I had it back.
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: coelacanth on August 26, 2021, 03:56:33 pm
Great job. :thumbup1
Title: Re: Rebluing
Post by: TINCANBANDIT on December 01, 2021, 08:27:14 am
Another refinishing project, this one a Winchester model 97
One thing I learned is that the finish on these old guns is not as smooth as people believe them to be. Bluing does hide some of that. Anyway, this gun belonged to a family member who passed away, I was asked to refinish it for whomever was going to inherit the gun. It is a 12 gauge, take-down made in 1926