I was told by my gunsmith that the finishes:
1. Baer coat by Les Bear
2. Armor Tuff by Wilson
3. Armory Kote by Springfield Armory
etc.
are basically a similar process as Walter Birdsong's Black T. The process involves literally spraying molybdenum dysulfide (I think that's what they call the chemical) mixture onto a preheated gun/parts and then bake it in an oven at 300 degree F for approx. 1 hr. If applied correctly they are extremely durable against corrosion, chemicals, scratches, etc. The process is also help provide naturally slicker surfaces for the moving parts. The $250 cost is on par with what Wilson's and other big name gunsmith charge. This cost appeared to be the deluxe prep price, it involve detail stripping of all parts and application of the moly. to all surfaces. Wilson Combat have a lower cost (around $180) for a basic prep job. Brownell's have these moly. paint in either spray cans or air brush application. They come in matte black, o.d. green, or silver (kind of like hard chrome). My gunsmith applied the process by air brush on my Colt Government Model and it looks great. It looks as good as Wilson's or Springfield's finishes that I've compared with.