Chacoal blue finished SAA's

[Galloway]

Is this finish option authentic or a modern variation of a theme?

[St. George]

I can only speak to period original Colt finishes as offered by the Factory = and did so in an earlier post in the Longbranch.

The standard finish of the time was Blue and Case-Hardened - while the 'special' finish was Nickel - the stainless steel of the day - and the reason why so many Colts sport it.
It was more expensive - but was looked at as being a protector of the weapon.

The Government Blue was supplied only on Government-contract guns and is a sort of 'Slate' Blue - a type of color featuring a Gray tint.

A single-finish SAA was an indicator that it was a refinished piece.

Case-Hardening's colors would fade over time and exposure to the elements.

If you want to know more about original stuff - read 'A Study of the Colt Single Action Revolver' - by Graham, Kopec and Moore.

You won't believe what you'll learn...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Virginia Gentleman]

The so called charcoal bluing on the clones is really Nitre or fire blue that is done with molten potassium nitrate.  It is a fragile finish that looks good, but isn't charcoal bluing as Colt did it.  Charcoal blue is a process where parts are put in a fire made with high carbon charcoal, periodically remoeved and rubbed with oil/lime on rags and repeated until the right color is reached.  Carbonia blue is the same thing except it is done with a gas furnace and Carbonia oil.  Hot salt blue is modern blue and looks more black than blue, but seems to be the most durable.

[Ranger Popp]

I was looking at some uberti guns and saw a SAA cattleman 4.75 bbl in 45LC that looked like it was painted with flat black paint. what is tha finish called and would that gun be legal CAS gun.

[Major 2]

That would be the Millenium  and yes it is SASS approved.

Some have taken these and removed the matte finish and antique them.


read about it here http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,3241.0.html