Several months ago a gentleman posted a picture (actually a link to some pictures) of a Krieghoff double rifle that he had purchased in Europe. The rifle had a blued receiver and trigger guard as opposed to the traditional nickel finish used by Krieghoff on most of their double rifles. In my opinion the blued finish really changed the look of the Krieghoff in a positive way. I know that Krieghoff offers a blued finish as an option and others have rifles with that finish, e.g., Mike Burke. That said, my sense is that the vast percentage are done with the nickel finish.

That got me thinking, I wonder whether the nickel-finished parts can be blued? I contacted Krieghoff in Pennsylvania to ask them. I spoke with Janine and she indicated that while they could blue the action, they recommended the nickel since it was more durable. Long story short, despite that recommendation, I ended up sending the rifle to Krieghoff with the request that they remove the nickel, polish the receiver and trigger guard and then blue all the metal (including the forearm lever).

I got the rifle back yesterday and thought I would share some pictures. I think it turned out very well. I actually think it improves the look of the engraving too, which on the nickel finish tends to look really cheap. Just my opinion, but I was surprised by how a relatively simple change, such as the metal finish of the receiver would impact the overall look of the rifle. I wish I had the foresight to do before and after pictures.

That looks very nice Mike. I like it.

Mike, I agree that the bluing really changes the aesthetics. My K gun has the nickel finish (which I like BTW), but I agree that the engraving certainly looks different. What caliber?
Mine is 500/416.
Peter

Thanks, it is a .500 NE.

Now you will constantly worry about the frame rusting and the blue wearing off when you carry it. Mine is nickel and I definitely don't want it blued. Yes, blue looks good, but so does nickel.

Mike:
Nice rifle and no doubt the blue adds to the engraving. Good choice.
Cal

I like blued.My double will be blued.I too think the engraving stands out more.It also has more of a classic look to it and it compliments the wood in a natural sense.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Now you will constantly worry about the frame rusting and the blue wearing off when you carry it. Mine is nickel and I definitely don't want it blued. Yes, blue looks good, but so does nickel.

I am the Alfred E. Neuman of double rifles, "What--Me Worry?"

There was a 450 Heym at the SCI show called the Jaeger and it was all blued... I liked it a lot. It's not on the website but maybe NEw-Guy has a pic somewhere. Looked all business...

quote:

Now you will constantly worry about the frame rusting and the blue wearing off when you carry it

Don't we (mostly) enjoy looking at rubbed off bluing and wondering how it got that way? I think folks - myself included - don't mind a little wear on a well-used rifle...

I posted the link some months ago. I must say I really envy the Wood on your rifle... Warm and straight

Mike,

That looks great. I would say an improvement to the aesthetics for sure.

Mike,
looks good for sure,when & if the blue wears off,I think it would give it more character.

Todd,
Mike's rifle looks sharp,I do not feel though that it is necessarily an improvement over the stock look,I would call it personal preference,I think the nickel finish on a K gun actually looks good,I like mine,however on some other rifles it has not appealed to me so much,if I was ordering a new Heym,I would definitely choose the blued finish on the Jeager model.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill73:

Todd,
Mike's rifle looks sharp,I do not feel though that it is necessarily an improvement over the stock look,I would call it personal preference

Well ... Uhmmm .... Yea! That's what I was stating! My personal preference for the blued action. Sorry if I offended but I like Mike's new version better. That's all.

Todd,
no offense taken at all,that was not why I responded,I was just adding to the discussion,all the best.

Cheers Bill.

Some like blondes, some like brunettes. It is all good!

Mike,
damn you hit the nail on the head,I like them all,blondes,brunettes........lol.

That does make a fine looking change!

Worthy improvement.

a real keeper,looks great

quote:

Originally posted by BaxterB:

quote:

Now you will constantly worry about the frame rusting and the blue wearing off when you carry it

Don't we (mostly) enjoy looking at rubbed off bluing and wondering how it got that way? I think folks - myself included - don't mind a little wear on a well-used rifle...

- blued, appropriate platform to prove the mileage

After seeing the pics of Norsk's gun, I thought about getting the gun blued while it was back at Krieghoff. But, as I have pics of it, decided the stock was dark enough, that I liked the contrast.
I may yet do it on another one down the road though. I like the look of yours. Still in wait & see mode on what they do about my request for the peep.

Agree that the blued look is more traditional. If I were to order a krieghoff or Heym, if would be blued.

I like the update
I like the look of a blued DR. If an action is plain nickel without allot of engraving my preference is to go blued.

I have two Chapuis and two Krieghoffs. I prefer the nickel finish or coin finish. I like color case hardened as well but with no engraving. The Heym with the nickel finish is a great looking gun IMHO.

Blued for me all the way over nickel.

Looks good, I prefer the blue. It looks especially nice with the engraving.

Mine is worn but so is the blueing on the barrels, the stock is scratched and a little beat up. It all brings back good memories of how and when the wear occurred.

Mike, I have shot three elephant with this rifle and I will be taking it along with me next month to see if it can account for a couple of more. In the process I am sure it will be developing a few more character marks. The Krieghoff's are interesting. I had both the Krieghoff and my Heym at the range today (both .500 NE's). The Heym weighs a good 1/2 pound or better more than the Krieghoff. Despite giving up some weight to the Heym, the Krieghoff has less felt recoil to me than the Heym. It is also trimmer and slimmer. I know some do not like the cocking lever, but if you can get over that, they really are nice rifles.

I held of buying a Krieghoff for quite awhile because I was apprehensive about the cocking lever,but since I wanted a 500/416 it was the only logical choice,it took me no time at all to get used to the lever,in the field it was like any other safety period,just takes a little extra pressure,I had no issues at all,the K-gun is a solid DR & I would recommend it to anybody.

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

I know some do not like the cocking lever, but if you can get over that, they really are nice rifles.

Amen brother...

That's some exceptionally nice wood on your rifle and I really like the blueing; a very unique Krieghoff.

A rare appearance by the venerable Paul Smith!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
That's some exceptionally nice wood on your rifle and I really like the blueing; a very unique Krieghoff.

. . . and a most distinctive scope mount for which I remain thankful.

quote:

Originally posted by PSmith:
That's some exceptionally nice wood on your rifle and I really like the blueing; a very unique Krieghoff.

+1, VERY nice.


Best regards

Malek
Good shooting/hunting and God's best