The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

The L.C. Smith Collectors Association
[ The L.C. Smith Collectors Association ]

Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Lloyd Mckissick on July 29, 2023, 9:28 pm

I've gotten the green light from my gunsmith for redoing my recent acquisition (1891 Quality No. 1). The gun will be completely apart for a deep cleaning (likely it's first ever) and some stock stabilization work. While it's apart, I was wondering what the going rate was these days for a rehardening job?

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Ken Descovich on July 29, 2023, 10:07 pm, in reply to "Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

My personal opinion is not to waste your money as I have yet to see a redone case color that looks factory done.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Lloyd Mckissick on July 29, 2023, 10:41 pm, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

Even someone like Turnbull?

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Ken Descovich on July 30, 2023, 7:22 am, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

I would suggest you see what any company that does case hardening looks like and you be the judge. I had a gunsmith about 10 years ago case harden a 20 ga smith for me and I was disappointed, the gunsmith said he sent it to Turnbulls shop.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Chris Frantz on July 30, 2023, 8:40 am, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

While I agree that an experienced eye can certainly tell the difference between minty original Smith colors and even the best restoration (which is unquestionably Turnbull, in my humble opinion), I think their work is exceptional most of the time. I have seen a few pieces (not L.C.'s) that were done there that didn't show all that well, but with very few exceptions, Turnbull has figured out the specific, unique colors for each major manufacturer.

Here are two that I've had done in the past 2-4 years. I don't send them to Turnbull directly, but to Matthew Begley at Black Diamond Gun Works in Ohio. He's a terrific young double gun specialist that I highly recommend. Matthew will anneal the parts to be colored, polish to original spec and then send to Turnbull to just do the coloring. He'll then reassemble and return to you. He's far faster and, probably, overall less expensive, than having Turnbull do everything. Price for just the coloring and prep is a little tough for me to carve out because I had other work done on each of these, as well, but for just coloring I think I paid $800-$900 for what I described above.

BTW - I have no affiliation with either Turnbull or Black Diamond - just relaying my experiences. Any restoration work is not going to be a financially sound choice for a lower grade, common gun, but, in my case, they were either a family gun that I wanted to restore or one I had very little invested in that made the additional cost more tolerable. Either way, the pleasure I get from saving one of these guns that would otherwise be scrapped for parts is worth it to me! First gun is a 1930 12ga Field Ejector, second is a 1924 12ga Ideal Ejector factory 3" gun.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Lloyd Mckissick on July 30, 2023, 9:06 pm, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

That looks pretty nice.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Channing Will on August 1, 2023, 5:46 pm, in reply to "Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

The cost varies quite a bit from shop to shop, but the biggest factor for our shop is metal prep and engraving touch up. If you send us a stripped action that is properly polished and you do your own reassembly, the cost is usually around $300-$400 plus shipping. Here is a Pigeon grade we just completed.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Lloyd Mckissick on August 1, 2023, 7:18 pm, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

Thank you Will. We may be talking this Fall.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Richard Ranney on August 10, 2023, 6:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

If this gun isn’t going to the field, I’ve duplicated the case hardened ‘look’ with a chemical reaction to the polished steel. Afterwards I spray lacquered it for protection.I recently finished restoring a 1906 LC Smith Damascus and it looks beautiful. My client was ecstatic over the results. I can provide photos if you wish.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Phil Carr on August 11, 2023, 6:35 am, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

Beautiful work.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Phil Carr on August 11, 2023, 6:39 am, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

Beautiful work in reference to the receiver posted by Mr Wills picture.

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Lloyd Mckissick on August 11, 2023, 11:25 am, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

The chemical solution, eh? Sure, I'd like to see that. Sadly, all my guns get used. Does the lacquer adequately protect the finish enough to at least use it at a range?

Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?

Posted by Richard Ranney on August 11, 2023, 4:28 pm, in reply to "Re: Current cost of color case hardening a receiver?"

Yes it will. When I get an opportunity in the next couple of days I’ll start a new post with pictures if you think that’s better.

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