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Posted: 10/24/2025 10:44:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: WildBoar][Edited]
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Got a great deal on a Smith and WEsson Model 19 as it had a heavily worn finish and always loved the charcoal blue look the Uberti I had years ago but I was told they actually Nitre blue them. Not a fan of working with 800 degree molten salt, and also worried that will weaken the metal too much. But actual Charcoal bluing is pretty much the same temp but in a bed of coals . Tempwise isnt that going to be an issue as well? Heck Color Case Hardening is 1400 degrees but apparently doesnt weaken the metal? Example of the color I am talking about for my barrel and cylinder 
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The temperatures you are talking about were used on guns chambered for black powder pressure cartridges. A model 19 would accept and fire .357 magnum cartridges. Not sure I would want to risk that. I have niter blued pins, screws and a 1911 grip safety. They did come out very pretty, but had no significant pressure placed on them while firing. I would consider other options. |
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Originally Posted By grendelbane: The temperatures you are talking about were used on guns chambered for black powder pressure cartridges. A model 19 would accept and fire .357 magnum cartridges. Not sure I would want to risk that. I have niter blued pins, screws and a 1911 grip safety. They did come out very pretty, but had no significant pressure placed on them while firing. I would consider other options. Thats what I was thinking. I heard some folks had good luck at 600 degrees but still not sure how that would affect strenght. Though it sure feels like a milion degrees if I brush up on it. Think I am just going to strip the whole thing and faux color case harden the frame and cold blue or rust blue the cylinder and barrel and pop some nice rosewood grips on it and do my best to copy this Turnbull piece. 
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My saa has charcoal blue and I love it. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By grendelbane: Rust blue takes a little labor, but I think it is an attractive matte finish. I would much rather do that than cold blue. There are threads about rust blue in this forum, and in the gun-smithing forum in the Armory section. I have rust blued knives before. Well fast rust blue using with vinegar peroxide and salt and dried with a heat gun. I am impatient and loved how they came out. |
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