The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Factory Case Colors

Posted by Jerry Andrews on June 4, 2024, 8:25 am

Does anyone have information on the way colors were done as far as was the quench water ever changed, did they color multiple frames at once ( I don’t see how they could not have) or other info. I know not a lot is known. Pictures of where they case colored in the plant etc? Thanks in advance for any responses. Jerry

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Drew Hause on June 4, 2024, 12:36 pm, in reply to "Factory Case Colors"

Bro. Tom Archer had a 2 part article in the DGJ "Charles H. Jerred: L.C. Smith Engraver Extraordinaire" in 2007.
I don't have those issues but seem to recall Jerred's discussion of case coloring.

We DO know the location of the case coloring shop, #4 in the 1 story building on the right separate from the main factory

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Drew Hause on June 4, 2024, 4:26 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

Nothing Smith specific but valuable comments from Mike Hunter

https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=464580&page=all

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Trevor Rice on June 4, 2024, 11:51 pm, in reply to "Factory Case Colors"
Edited by board administrator June 5, 2024, 6:32 am

Jerry, I’m sure you know this but there’s a pretty neat page in the Legend that explains how they did it.

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Jerry Andrews on June 7, 2024, 7:17 pm, in reply to "Factory Case Colors"

I’m extremely happy with my colors, I just wondered about production procedures at the plant😊

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Michael Rasmussen on June 12, 2024, 8:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

I'm also very happy with my Case Colors but interested what they used to hold their quenching water, along with other equipment. For heat treating, my Grandfather always used a galvanized farm bucket for water quenching and steel 55 gal barrel for oil quenching. Wasn't old enough to ask why the difference even thou he did some case color work. After trying a plastic barrel one time, in which the colors were less than desired, I started using a galvanized 6 gal bucket, changing the water after ever quench but been told my colors did not match factory.

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Wade Copeland on June 13, 2024, 4:56 pm, in reply to "Factory Case Colors"

Hello all,
I've always liked case coloring and have a question for Mr. Hause. In my limited ownership and exposure to Smiths, it seems to me that many of the pre-1913 guns had a "speckled" look to their coloring while the post-1913 guns have a more "fluid" appearance, was this process changed during the Hunter arms transition?.

Thanks,
Wade Copeland

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Drew Hause on June 13, 2024, 6:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

I wish we had knowledge of the Hunter Arms process Wade, but AFAIK we don't.
"Freckling" could be superficial patina/corrosion or a process issue.

1924 Field

Long Range Skeet Special

1947 very high condition colors but with lots of speckling. Does suggest it was the process.

I had a friend who sent a Fox to Turnbull for coloring and it returned with a very thin streak on the action without colors. Turnbull said there may have been oil on the surface??

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Drew Hause on June 13, 2024, 6:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

1904 No. 2 with about the highest colors I've seen on a 120 year old gun that wasn't kept in the closet. We can't of course know the appearance fresh out of Fulton.

1939 Field

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by chris baumohl on June 14, 2024, 4:38 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

Drew,
email me your email address please
got a darned near new 1901 2E i want to send you for comparison!!

chris

cbaumohl@gmail.com
256.656.7988

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Wade Copeland on June 14, 2024, 5:23 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

Mr. Hause,
Thank you for your explanation and photos, much of the information I've acquired in the past year of interest in doubles has been provided by you on several forums, your knowledge and opinions are much appreciated.

Wade Copeland

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Drew Hause on June 14, 2024, 5:43 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

Thanks Wade, but most of what is 'know' is only what I've learned from others.

Chris' 1901 No. 2E

Posted by Drew Hause on June 15, 2024, 6:43 am, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"
Edited by board administrator June 15, 2024, 9:34 am

Click on the image to enlarge

Re: Factory Case Colors

Posted by Drew Hause on June 15, 2024, 5:37 pm, in reply to "Re: Factory Case Colors"

FW Field but I don't know the DOM, with significant "freckling"

Re: Chris' 1901 No. 2E

Posted by chris baumohl on June 16, 2024, 2:44 pm, in reply to "Chris' 1901 No. 2E"

thanks Drew
u r the man!!!

CB

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