The L.C. Smith Collectors Association

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

Rebluing barrels on 1920’s

Posted by Tom Hough on November 26, 2024, 9:29 pm

I have what I think is around a 1920’s LC. My question is ll am thinking about trying to cold blue the barrels myself and would like any suggestions of what to use from some of the people that have redone them before. Thanks for any advice.

Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s

Posted by Dan Wildhaber on November 27, 2024, 1:59 pm, in reply to "Rebluing barrels on 1920’s"

Refinishing barrels is all about the prepping, and metal polishing.
First remove any dents, then clean them thoroughly.
Mask off the rib matting, engravings and stampings and outside corners(breech, muzzle, flats, etc) with blue 3M masking tape.
Start with fairly aggressive paper and Styrofoam sanding block on the deepest scratches.
Sand lengthwise only.
Don't compromise the wall thickness with excess sanding.
Work your way through successively finer grits till you get to 320. Remove the masking and carefully polish those areas with 280 or 320 just enough to clean them and blend them in to the surrounding area without doing damage. Use discretion.
At that point I would recommend rust bluing.

Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s

Posted by Mark Britton on November 27, 2024, 6:50 pm, in reply to "Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s"

"At that point I would recommend rust bluing". Please read Mr Wildhaber last line twice. Mark

Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s

Posted by Tom Hough on November 30, 2024, 1:05 pm, in reply to "Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s"

Thanks for the info, Dan

Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s

Posted by Tom Hough on November 30, 2024, 1:10 pm, in reply to "Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s"

Thanks Mark, I’ll check into it.

Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s

Posted by Dan Wildhaber on November 30, 2024, 3:45 pm, in reply to "Re: Rebluing barrels on 1920’s"

Tom
Don't be intimidated by rust bluing.
It's an easy process to learn.
A bottle of bluing solution will do dozens of barrels and there should be plenty of info on-line to walk you through it.
The only equipment needed that would be specialized is a tank long enough to boil the barrels.
Steam will convert rust as well as boiling so one of the small Chinese home steam cleaners might be worth investigating as an alternative.

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