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Case color differences


Marshall Matt Dillon

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I have a pair of new unfired pistols made by Standard Manufacturing. One is like you are used to seeing,,lots of colors, dark blues all mixed together with grays/greys and browns. The other is almost totally brown with tiny spots of blue near the edges. Is there a reason for the different colors? The brown one is the uncommon color. Is there a problem causing the lack of blues? It looks much nicer in person then my photo skills show. 

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From what I gather, it is the materials used in the process and how those and the metal are packed in the furnace. Turnbull has developed his method of case hardening that is considered some of the best out there. 

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Think of it this way, if you dropped something in the grass and it made an impression of the grass on whatever you dropped and did this several times, the impressions would be similar but all different. Same way with case hardening; the materials used (carbon based) are never exactly the same and will never make the same pattern of colors the same. I've heard some folks use pieces of leather, bone, horse hoof, etc. and pack the metal part in that, heated. Different materials, placed differently and maybe even different amounts of heat would make every piece... umm, different.

IDK what method Turnbull uses, but they sure are perty!

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When steel is heated, the browns are first before turning to blues. I am wondering if heat was too low to produce blue colors, which maybe would not get surface as hard as normal. If materials surrounding make the colors and do not depend on temperature, then no problems may exist with this revolver.

 

Is it just coloring, or is it surface hardening?

 

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Color case hardening is a complex process and a lot of things can impact the color.  The type of metal, not properly cleaning the parts, the type and amount of carbon material used, how it’s packed, how long the parts/charcoal are heated, the temperature of the water used for quench.  

The primary function of case hardening is to add carbon to the surface of a low carbon steel.  This can be done with or without  the colors we like.  During the process, parts are heated to approximately 1400 degrees (red hot) inside a sealed canister filled with bone and wood charcoal.  The canister keeps oxygen out and prevents oxidization. At temperature, carbon atoms from the charcoal are absorbed into the surface of the steel.  The parts and charcoal pack are then quickly dumped from the canister into water which quenches the part, making the high carbon surface hard while leaving the core soft.  The colors become visible only after the quench.  
 

So, why do the colors vary  between guns?  Well.... it’s complicated.

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I cooked 4 soft fried eggs yesterday. The eggs came from 4 different chickens. They were all cooked in the same frying pan, and I tried my best to drop them all from the same distance, but they all came out looking similar but different. Why do you think this is?

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Just now, Smokin Gator SASS #29736 said:

Every gun with real color case hardening will have a unique pattern. But that gun does appear to be outside the norm of what I would expect.

Yes, that is my thoughts exactly.

 

i found a VERY long thread that is recommended reading on this subject,,,I’ll be back after a while.

 

http://www.marlin-collectors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3732

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Standard has stated that they were doing the CCH for Colt.  So, they should know what they are doing.  But I agree that one looks odd.  Kind of neat, but different for sure.

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1 hour ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

Standard has stated that they were doing the CCH for Colt.  So, they should know what they are doing.  But I agree that one looks odd.  Kind of neat, but different for sure.

It is really good looking in person, and growing on me more every time i look at it. When we first pulled out of the box, “it’s ugly” comments came out, but then as we all stared at it people started changing their mind, me included. The pics do not show the real gun. I would not like it on all my guns. 

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25 minutes ago, Abilene, SASS # 27489 said:

The hammer matches, too!

The hammer matches on the other gun too. Dark blues exactly like the gun. All parts done together i guess.

 

I wonder if they do one gun at a time, since they claim they are built as ordered. That would be costly, production wise.

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My "Stimulus" Colt refinished by Bill Fuchs at Spring Creek Armory. 

 

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I would have liked more blues and copper colors but Bill explained it had be re-color cases before and each time the results are less colorful. 

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1 hour ago, Warden Callaway said:

My "Stimulus" Colt refinished by Bill Fuchs at Spring Creek Armory. 

 

I would have liked more blues and copper colors but Bill explained it had be re-color cases before and each time the results are less colorful. 

Do you know if he annealed first?

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8 hours ago, Marshall Matt Dillon said:

It is really good looking in person, and growing on me more every time i look at it. When we first pulled out of the box, “it’s ugly” comments came out, but then as we all stared at it people started changing their mind, me included. The pics do not show the real gun. I would not like it on all my guns. 

 

Look on the bright side, now you don't have to look at the SN to keep the left and right guns squared away.  I'd go with the browner one in the right holster because it looks like it's been handled more. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I think your guns look good.  Nice thing about Standard is they could easily re color case them if you thought it warranted.

But no two guns will ever be the same for color tones  or patterns.  Although they sure can look pretty close side by side for colors if prepped right. 

 

Big surprise if Bill Fuchs case colors anything.  He sends it out to a shop that actual does do case colors.   Lots of folks will do case colors for you or a shop that doesn't have the ability.  Few do it themselves.  The guns don't get less colorful if prepped right.   Like any finish work, it is the prep work prior that makes a difference on the final out  come.    The guns just change  color patterns and colors.   But they certainly don't have to be less colorful.

 

One of the better ones is in Wyoming.....87 miles from Bill Fuchs.

Wyoming Armory Precision Firearms - Color Case Hardening Specialists - Color Case Hardening Services

 

Most common case color work is Turnbull.   He's also the most expensive.  But there are lots of folks doing it.   No middle man needed with any of these guys.

 

Gun Restoration Services | Turnbull Restoration Company

Tyler Gun Works - Master Craftsman Of Color Case Work (ammoland.com)

Color Case Hardening - Lohman Gunsmith Houston TX

danthegunman.com - Color Case Hardening 

Classic Case Colors LLC - SERVICES

COWBOY ACTION FIREARMS - LONG HUNTER SHOOTING SUPPLY

 

 

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