Nitre bluing

[westfi1]

I am nitre bluing the screws on my Colt SAA as was done by the factory on the nineteenth century originals. Before I go too far, I need to know exactly which screws and/or parts were nitre blued on them and which were not, so I will remain true to the configuration of the originals. Can anyone help me with this question ? Thanks very much.

 

[James K]

I assume you mean the extremely bright blue that is seen on some "restored" SAA's of the period. The problem is that that is the only place I have seen it. I have or have seen a fair number of Colt SAAs and other Colt revolvers of the 1870's to 1940's period and the screws are basically the same color as the rest of the blued parts.

The bright blue can be achieved by heat bluing. After polishing the screw, lay it on a hotplate or the heating element of an electric stove and be prepared to tip it off when it reaches the desired color.

Jim