Color Case Hardening thread.... Lets see your best examples

[jhcii]

So the above rifle in .32-20 needs a handgun and so far the only handgun companion I have bought is the Colt SA .32-20. I haven't found a .38-55 WCF handgun yet. The rifle is the .32-20 WCF 1873 manufactured in 1890. The handgun is a Colt SAA in .32-20.

[cmj8591]

Originally Posted by jhcii

I had a Rodeo that worked excellent in this brand. Is the case hardening the same hot red stuff the 1800's did to the handguns and rifles? Or is it colored with dye popular since Colt tried to sell their Cowboy Action revolver with dyes and no case hardening to hot temperature?

One of the reasons a Colt SAA costs so much to get today is the metal is indeed case hardened with temperature and NOT dyed that way. Does SW do this sort of thing anymore in their classic series like the 36-10 I owned?

Perhaps SW needs to say what metallurgy today goes into a Classic series like the Chief's Special or any other stained case hardened instead of actually case hardened.

I ask the question now on this forum; is the 36-10 Classic Chief Special 5 shot indeed CASE HARDENED or is it made to LOOK that way with dye?

One of the USFA selling points was that the case hardening was done the old fashion way. With bone and charcoal. When I look at my USFA, I can tell that it's the real deal. Someone in one of the previous posts said that Turnbull did the case hardening on the frames. I think that this is true with the early guns and then USFA took over and did it in house. Everyone one I have ever seen was top shelf. Like I said, it's a shame they are not making guns anymore. The new smiths have MIM hammers and triggers. I don't have a problem with that but the finish is a poor copy of the old style case hardening.

[Walter Rego]

The color case hardening on Smith & Wesson hammers and triggers was quite beautifully done for several decades. I did notice that the colors on the guns from the 1990's began to get more gray and less "fiery" if you will.
Here is some outstanding color on a Colt .22 Peacemaker from the 1970's. They are great companion guns for the SAA's.

[italiansport]

I think this example might just take the record for the most unusual case coloring job around. The frame of this Astra Model 400 is case colored,the small parts have been gold plated and the bolt was jewel turned. Why someone would go to this expense on this type of pistol is beyond me.
Jim

[crsides]

Oscar Gaddy was a DR of metallurgy at University of Illinois and a shotgun collector. He is now deceased, but he revived (re-invented) the case coloring process that had been lost to history. He did a Parker receiver for me. You can google his name and read tons on case coloring.

He was adamant that the only thing that could affect a true case color was abrasion. Then a guy on Doublegunshop.com, a forum for high end double shotgunners, showed a gun that was left in a gun cabinet that got sunlight on one side and not the other, and the sunlight side faded. Oscar did not believe that the sunlight did this and it was quite the discussion for a long time, and never resulted in definitive conclusion.

Charlie

[jtcarm]

Originally Posted by italiansport

I think this example might just take the record for the most unusual case coloring job around. The frame of this Astra Model 400 is case colored,the small parts have been gold plated and the bolt was jewel turned. Why someone would go to this expense on this type of pistol is beyond me.
Jim

I think your right. I've seen it all now! Perhaps it belonged to a Spanish nobleman.

I think the most beautiful firearm finishes I've ever seen are the Colt SAA case/blue.

[italiansport]

I tell my guests that it was probably Francisco Franco's personally carry piece and let it go at that. I expect that just case coloring the frame alone was a 4400 - $500 expense. All the work done is of very good quality.
Jim
Here's some excellent work that was done on a cased AyA Grade 2 double barrel shotgun I own.

[JohnAC]

Awesome stuff guys... Here's a couple more




Peacemaker Centennial - This one was sold off a while ago.

[OIF2]

[Harrydale]

I was just wondering if anyone out there in forum land owns all the case colored guns (frames) ever sold as a Smith & Wesson? And if you do, when you die, would you leave them to me?

Seriously, These are some beautiful guns! Thanks for starting this thread.

[GunarSailors]

Originally Posted by Harrydale

I was just wondering if anyone out there in forum land owns all the case colored guns (frames) ever sold as a Smith & Wesson? Thanks for starting this thread.

There is a forum member, I think (forget his name) who has quite a few, but I don't know about "all" of them. I was hoping he would chime in, but hasn't yet. I don't think. Youre welcome, I hope you've enjoyed it half as much as I have.

[Gunsnwater]

Originally Posted by Harrydale

So, WHY did S&W send the hammers and triggers thru the CC process?

Case hardened triggers and hammers have long wearing sear engagements and tough not brittle cores that wont crack or break. The color is proof of treatment. And its pretty.

[Hair Trigger]

I dug this thread up after seeing it linked in another thread i was reading. I'll add two of my shotguns in the mix:

[Rpg]

Originally Posted by OIF2

Not a Smith, but it's nice.
Bob

I suspect that ^^^^^^^ isn’t case hardened at all but cyanide colored: a much less expensive and comparatively easier process than case hardening that creates the painted on appearance but doesn’t harden the surface.

This process was popular with folks trying to peddle poor condition Parker shotguns as properly refinished guns.

[Rpg]

Originally Posted by Hair Trigger

I dug this thread up after seeing it linked in another thread i was reading. I'll add two of my shotguns in the mix:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...8&d=1656189270

Here’s ^^^^^ a side, by side example of real case color compared to the painted on quality of cyanide finish.

[Hair Trigger]

Originally Posted by Rpg

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachm...8&d=1656189270

Here’s ^^^^^ a side, by side example of real case color compared to the painted on quality of cyanide finish.

Both of those are case color hardened. After others commented similarly, I contacted CZ-USA and asked them if the color was actual case hardening or a chemical process. Their response was it was color case hardened.

I don't know if it would matter or not, but the CZ/Huglu is 47 years newer than the Fox B

[Baltimoreed11754]

Here’s my 1873 uberti.