Case hardened re-finish questions

[Keith Doty]

I recently looked at a re-finished GH 12 ga. The case hardened parts appear to have a clear finish over the metal. What is the nature of this coating and why is it there? I have a 16 ga. VH and GH that were re-case hardened and have no finish over the metal just a subtle, beautiful re-color.
Both of my re-finished guns have very little or no "straw" color in them but I see lots of it in some re-case hardened guns. What's the story on this? Which is true to original (unfortunately I have no pristine original guns to compare to)?

[B. Dudley]

Original Parker guns have very little straw. Only small amounts around the breech balls and edges usually. The more blues closer to the edges the better to look more original and correct.
Too much straw on re-colors just means that the person doing the job has not worked pit a process to replicate the factory look. Of course variation from job to job is going to exist.


Costing case colors with all sorts of protective coatings is something that some people do. To try and protect and preserve the colors. I personally do not care for this and never do this to any of my guns or guns that I have colored. To me, the coatings can usually effect the look of the colors and make them look undesirable.
They were not coated at the factory, so why coat them now if you are trying to replicate factory finishes. The same goes for Damascus finish for me.

[Keith Doty]

Can these coatings be removed without damaging the color below?

[B. Dudley]

Should be. Lacquer thinner would remove most and that would not effect colors.

[Keith Doty]

Other than the passing of time what causes the case color to fade. I have been lead to believe sunlight is #1. I know it destroys the colors and deteriorates nearly everything else. I have a mounted turkey in my shop showroom that has a left wing well on it's way to white. Discovered this doing some painting. Pulled the turkey down and the wing toward the windows was noticeably faded.