Just my two cents worth. At one time I had a model 94 that had been reblued and was the plum color you spoke of. My gunsmith, P.O. Ackley, a noted barrel maker and author on "Guns&Ammo, said the plum color was due to taking the part out of the bluing tank too soon. He reblued it again, and the '94 came out a beautiful dark blue/black. I guess there are more than one answer to this condition.

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joseph whitney