Why are blue finishes more durable tha CC?

[MD*GSP]

Originally Posted by Craig Budgeon

Lacquer is clear and protects the CC to a point. Marlin used it on there L.C. Smiths and some rifles , Turnbull has used it, and Galazan has sold it. Oh you'll be able to see your engraving just fine if its used on an engraved gun, provided you don't choose a 5 yo to apply it. Perhaps Win. 21's, Tobin, and some Bakers used a hot blue on receivers and trigger guards but I doubt it was rust blue ------- to labor intensive.

To my eye the application of a protective film brings forth a lack of third dimensional depth and that inconsistent depth of field takes away from the artistic realism of the scenes found in the Parker style of engraving. Parker engraving screams nostalgia in a manner that "takes you there" so to speak, to me. Perhaps I'm just a shade critical or, perhaps perfection is my curse but, somehow the engraved lines filled with "something" seems to detract.

Please, share the material that you use and, your technique.