I'm trying to capture that brilliant blue you sometimes are surprised with on trigger pins, etc. inside Mausers, and that you see in pics of virginal Mausers (that are way beyond my means to buy right now!). The parts I'm referring to are the bolt release spring / cover, various pins, bolt stop screw, and (I think) the action screws. I would probably throw in screws for grip cap, scope bases, the Masterpiece front sight plunger, and the levers from Talley rings.

Who does good nitre bluing, and would do a small handful of parts like a half dozen screws and a few pins?

One other question -- I know it is a fairly high heat process, will it destroy the bolt release spring or damage mission-critical screws (scope base)?

Thanks,
Todd

Edited: As always I would try to do this myself, but know enough about it to stay the hell away from it and pay someone else!

[ 03-13-2003, 05:00: Message edited by: Todd Getzen ]

Todd--

Doug Turnbull is the current leading Wizard of Nitre bluing. He'll do one screw or a truck load.

Actually the color used to be an accident caused by tempering springs, like bolt stop springs, extractors, etc. so it doesn't harm spring temper at all.

Nitre blue is not real tough so you don't want to put it on large parts that take a lot of wear, but I have pictures of an engraved M-98 that's ALL nitre blued and the scrolls French Grayed. WOW!!! it looks fantastic but wouldn't last long in a saddle scabbard.

For those that don't know, nitre blue is done by bathing the highly polished and degreased part in molten pottasium nitrate.

Jack or anyone else know what was used to blue the early 1899 Savages? I've always thought they were nice...but what do I know. I've not seen anywhere near the number of guns some of you have! :-)

Jeff Pfeifer

pfeifer---

There was a guy in Vegas last year with a whole booth of old 99s. Take-downs, take-down cased combos, deluxe engraved and some old customs. They're exquisite.........(but don't tell Ray I said that).

That's Savage rust blue on those guns. The blue looks very good for a long time and even when it's worn to silver they have a classy look about them. It was what we call an "express blue", much like what Brownell's sells as "Belgian Blue".

Thanks Jack for your input. I have an 1899B (oct bbl) in .38-55 that I want to have reblued and restocked. I had it relined recently so it shoots nice now. One thing at a time....I do need to get down to Vegas sometime as well.
Regards!