Cheap Belgian and color casing

[NiceOldDouble]

This fellow turned out quite well tonight. Not what I expected from a cheap Belgian hammergun.

 

[BlackGun]

That’s going to be stunning.

 

[cubrock]

Stunning! I didn’t know you do your own color case hardening. Would you do small gun parts like single action hammers?

 

[NiceOldDouble]

Stunning! I didn’t know you do your own color case hardening. Would you do small gun parts like single action hammers?

Thank you.
Yes Sir, I do so now and can try to help.
It’s not precise, and you don’t know what you get until you’re done. There is a specific process, and at the same time variables such as quench water temp and quality, charcoal ratios and heat temp/time, and the parts casting material all have an effect on what you get. Manufactures figured out what they needed to do for their product, but I don’t have that data or their environment.
There’s a risk of warping for actions and frames as well. I was worried this one was going to warp. I cook at 1400F and hold for 1.5 hours before a quench in ice water. Crazy stuff happens. You can make bracing for certain things, but the bracing can screw with your colors.

 

[NiceOldDouble]

That’s going to be stunning.

Thank you.

 

[cubrock]

Cool. I’m going to look through my hammers and see what needs a little help. All Ruger and Colt. Might try a Ruger first, since replacing those is cheaper than replacing a Colt hammer.

 

[NiceOldDouble]

Cool. I’m going to look through my hammers and see what needs a little help. All Ruger and Colt. Might try a Ruger first, since replacing those is cheaper than replacing a Colt hammer.

Hammers and triggers will be fine. If the colors aren’t great, then you anneal, polish, and cook them again.
I have a little Colt Office 1991 that I was thinking of doing for fun. The frame warping is a concern, but a slide that stout should cool. Probably try the slide first.