refinishing loading trough

[murbas]

the real question I need help with, is what is the best way to refinish the loading trough cutout when you do a conversion? I woud like to get some kind of case hardening effect, and it doesn't have to be perfect, just want it to match the frame, a little better than just straight cold blue?  also, is a dremel strong enough to cut the trough thru the forged steel receiver?

[Pettifogger]

Very few C&B revolver frames are harderned.  A Dremel with a grinding stone will cut the frame with no problem.  The issue isn't strength.  It is using the appropriate cutter for the material being cut.  A standard blued frame C&B is pretty soft relatively speaking.  When you are done any of the after market cold blues will blend with the frame quite nicely.

[murbas]

I am working with a pieta 1860 army with a case hardened frame

[Pettifogger]

The "hardening" is only a couple of thousands of an inch thick and once you are though that the interior is soft.  On many of the modern guns the case hardening is actually just coloring.

[Professor Marvel]

If trying to achieve a fake color-case finish try following Hickok's howto :

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php?topic=47401.0

hth
prf mvl

[murbas]

thanks proff. marvel! Hickok's way sounds like the way for me!