Traditional charcoal & bone case color

[Parker Bachelder (Brad's Profile)]

As I have stated before, the process of color case hardening is fully controllable for pattern and color range. There are many reasons that each of the manufacturers, using similar process recipes, yield such different patterns. We employ different formulas for each type that we case. Every facet of the process impacts the yield in various ways. Dr. Gaddy understood this and was able to target certain aspects. Unfortunately the original manufacturers did not document their process.
Surface preparation is critical. The majority of the manufacturers did not use coatings over the metal. I have never seen an original Parker with Lacquer on the receiver, Smiths were all shellacked thus the case appears to peal off with wear.
In the case where appearance is not the target, case hardening is still important to protect the metal.

Brad