[TheForge]Bluing, was gun metal care question

[Andrew Vida]

Pettengill, Nate wrote:
> Yes, Winchester but not Model 1902, it says Model 90, it's a slide
> action, not single. The guy I bought it from thought to was made in the
> late 20s or 30s but they made lots of them so it was $100 or so in 1985.
> Not a collectors item but I'd prefer not to screw it up. After I get
> done with the steel wool and oil this weekend, I was thinking I might
> touch it up. Maybe a bad idea?

	Depends on what you mean by that.  If you mean reblue areas, I might 
hold off.
> 
> So, now I've got to ask; what kind of steel went into these things and
> what is rust bluing?

	Far as I know, that is old fashioned cold blue.  I have a bottle of 
Winchester antique cold blue (in AZ, drat).  It's something of a pain in 
the ass to use, but if you do it right, the finish is perfect and pretty 
much undetectable as new.  But you have to boil the parts in hot water 
after application to "grow" the patina... it is a lot of work.

 > The finish has always been pretty good, never any
> pitting or rust but it is dark brown, I thought it was just age.

	Most of your old firearms used brown finishes.  My 12 ga. Savage 
sentry's weapon (Browning A-5 license) is browned.  Very durable.  If 
your finish is in good basic condition, I would not do anything to alter 
it.  Just remove rust and apply the oil.  It's your best bet.