Real Deal Case Colors

[Bill Murphy]

Mike,

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

It is imposible to quickly explain all of the variables that effect color case hardening. Contrary to conjecture and rumor the process is controlable and predictable.

two constants in the process are: type of metal, machineing reliefs.
The type of metal cast, forged, or rolled dteel, absorb carbon at different rates. Rolled steel, due to molecular density absorbs more carbon than cast steel. Sideplates and triggerplates are usually rolled steel accounting for deeper, longer lasting colors. Recievers cast or forged, absorb less carbon or color affecting durability.
Machineing translates to repeatable patterns in like parts. In the heat up phase thick areas remain cooler than thin areas. at quench thick areas cool slower that thin areas. Two prime examples of this in Parkers are the center band of color on triggerplates at the point of machineing for the cocking slide. The centers of the water table flats at the hammer spring pockets.
Parker forearm irons form a distinctive pattern at the "T", we refer to this pattern as "antlers". This is created by drawback or outside cooling at quench.
Pin holes, screw holes and edges drawback or turn straw or grey due to rapid cooling.
Color ranges, contrast, machineing patterns and patina, are all controlled with process variations in packing materials, tempature,surface preperation and exposure to oxygen. A careful educated study of original specimens is the most important factor in creating a process formula. Every manufacturer used the same basic process. The secret ingredents were not magical or chemical. The variations were in process crontrols and specific steel types.
We utilize over 20 different process formulas to yiels specific colors and patterns by brand and era.

Brad

[Pa SxS]

[QUOTE=Brad Bachelder;64478] Two prime examples of this in Parkers are the center band of color on triggerplates at the point of machineing for the cocking slide. The centers of the water table flats at the hammer spring pockets.

Brad, thanks for answering the questions I had wondered about in the above quote. When I try and determine original Parker colors, those two things are what I try to analyze. Sometimes the center band of color may or may not be real noticeable but the water table flats usually are.

Perhaps you can also comment on an observation concerning recased colors is that usually the recased colors have too much straw around the edges of the frame where darker Parker colors go right to the edge. Parkers had very little straw colors in my opinion.

[Pa SxS]

Bruce,

What's the maufacture date on that B grade? My DH, made in 1903, has almost all of it's original case colors and from a distance you'd swear the receiver was blued until you got up close, then the dark blues and reds started to become apparent.

[edgarspencer]

Just to be clear, My comments were not intended to represent myself as a gunsmith, experienced or otherwise. A gunsmith is truly a craftsperson. Any temperature ranges I quoted are from experience from production methods used in the heat treatment of steels, in a cast state. Ultimately, the desired hardness and ductility was the determining factor is arriving at them. The colors were a byproduct of the surface hardening to prevent wear of the newly engraved surfaces. Machining and engraving is done while the part is in a softer, annealed state, and the final combination of the parts hardness, strength and ductility aren't achieved until all heating/ cooling cycles are done. The craftsman are those that take the basic information, and modify it to the desired end. The temperature ranges I quoted are, in fact those used by Colt, as explained to me by their personnel, when arriving at an alloy for their boxes. It's important to note that they were the first normalizing cycles the parts were exposed to, and not necessarily those a gun being restored would see. As the old adage says "The proof of the pudding is in the eating". Anyone who is able to replicate the colors imparted as the original manufacturer offered up, in my book, is the guy who gets my vote, and Brad Batcheldor's work, in my estimation, represents the best i have seen out there.
As many of us have seen in the last few weeks, The upcoming James Julia auction has a half dozen Colt Calvary models coming up, whose colors are as close to original, if they aren't actually original. That I believe they are actual Colt restorations, it makes no difference, as their work today is no different than it was 120 years ago. Long before they had a department called 'The Custom Shop', my dad had Colt restore a martial piece, and it looks today just like those shown in the Julia auction, no more, no less.

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

Chuck,
Excellent observation, Parkers are overall very dark. The absense of straw, green and yellow are due to packing material, run temp and quench. Parkers colors are subtle and washed unlike the vivid multi-hue colors of late production Smiths.
In fully engraved Parkers with 90% original colors it very hard to see any color at all.
Brad