Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean Romig
I take issue however, with your statement
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I wouldn't expect anything else from you.
As an engineer by profession, It is my view that the case hardening process is a heat treat process, not an esthetic procedure. It is part of the process of a manufacturer, so that function and durability are incorporated in the final product. This is the Primary purpose, and proof of the process is by testing the surface hardness of the product, by achieving some
measureable result. Today, that would be by Brinell, or, more appropriately, Rockwell testing. This test is specific.
Aesthetic, eye appealing colors are subjective and might vary from one person to another, but certainly it was known that the colors were appealing, and procedures to closely reproduce those colors from piece to piece were important. The idea that the process was a 'closely guarded secret' is intriguing, and even legend, but other than Colt Patent Firearms, I never read anything elsewhere stating it was so. We just want to believe that. Was it true? Maybe. However one only needs to look at other makers to know they too knew how to do it. Charles and Walter wanted
first to be sure the gun was sufficiently heat treated to withstand use, and
second to see that it was eye pleasing.
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