question about case coloring "polish"

Colorado Kev · September 08, 2009, 05:17:56 PM

I lave owned a couple USFA's in the past (and stupidly traded them for other stuff), and am looking around at them again. I found a couple NIB SAA's at a local shop, and both had what I consider a flaw in the case colored frame--certain small spots on it were not shiny like the rest. I had this "problem" on my old Doug Turnbull Pre-War USFA SAA. It's hard to describe, but if you look at the frame at an angle, certain tiny (1mmx2mm or so) areas don't reflect light like the rest of the highly polished frame; instead, they are more matte looking. Is this just a byproduct of the case coloring process, or are these actual flaws. I thought it was a flaw on my old one, but since I saw two new ones with the same problems, they may not be problems at all. Let me know. Thanks.

Kev

jdpress · September 08, 2009, 10:45:36 PM

It appears that the color case hardening is coated with a clear lacquer-like finish and this finish has some very small areas where it does not completely cover. The matt finish is the bare color case hardening showing through the clear finish.

Capt. John Fitzgerald · September 09, 2009, 12:04:59 PM

Colorado,
I think JD hit the nail on the head! Color case hardening, of itself, does not produce a shiny finish. The shine comes from the lacquer finish that is applied after the CCH process. The sole purpose of this is to dress it up a bit. Eventually, with use and cleaning, all of that lacquer finish will wear off. That is why older guns no longer have that new gun, CCH shine.

Colorado Kev · September 11, 2009, 08:58:59 PM

Ok, so it sounds like it is a flaw, but not a major one (to me) like poor metal finishing. I can live with that. I guess. I have to say that the shiny CCH look really sets the USFA guns apart from others. I also guess I could carefully re-laquer the spot if I perseverated about it.

drjon · September 11, 2009, 10:27:37 PM

i have the same thing and think it is a "holder" mark that very slightly disrupts the finish when it either touched the slightly wet varnish or where it held the frame when the finish was applied. Other than that the gun is perfect. My FFL looked at the Pre-War and stated...You're not going to shoot that, are you. It's too pretty to shoot.

Colorado Kev · September 12, 2009, 07:58:02 AM

I had a pre-war, and think I'd feel more comfortable shooting that than I would a post-war. Actually, shooting them isn't a problem for me. It's holstering them. The post-war Colt Python type bluing, while reportedly more durable, is just too gorgeous. That doesn't stop me from wanting one, though. It's funny, I will talk myself into getting a Rodeo for its who-cares-if-it-gets-worn finish, but when I go to the gun shop, it seems too plain for such a wonderfully made SAA. Arg!

jdpress · September 22, 2009, 11:24:50 AM

Quote from: Colorado Kev on September 12, 2009, 07:58:02 AM
I had a pre-war, and think I'd feel more comfortable shooting that than I would a post-war. Actually, shooting them isn't a problem for me. It's holstering them. The post-war Colt Python type bluing, while reportedly more durable, is just too gorgeous. That doesn't stop me from wanting one, though. It's funny, I will talk myself into getting a Rodeo for its who-cares-if-it-gets-worn finish, but when I go to the gun shop, it seems too plain for such a wonderfully made SAA. Arg!

Colorado Key:

You may want to consider the Rodeo II. For some, it has a nicer appearance than the Rodeo I and in addition, the screws, trigger and cylinder pin are finished in an excellent, high-polished carbona (charcoal) blue, contrasting finish. It lists at only $65. more than the Rodeo I.
One thing for sure, USFA gives you many options!

JD Press

Virginia Gentleman · October 05, 2009, 06:58:54 PM

Actually, those small parts are nitre blued which is very finicky as to how the metal takes it in a molten bath of potassium nitrate. It is true that the piano varnish Turnbull uses looks great until you start using and cleaning the gun, but to me it is part of the aging process of a gun. I guess you could revarnish it, but why? It would have to be done every so often, plus case colors fade over time anyway.

August · October 12, 2009, 08:49:06 PM

Sometimes, the charcoal touches the part during the hardening process. It is a natural outcome and should not be considered a flaw. It means that your pistol is unlike any other ever made.