Winchester 94 comm. restorations

SOSARMS · June 22, 2006, 12:02 PM

We have been in the business of restoring Win 94 commemoratives for 25+ years, and on occasions have run into some problem children....especially the receiver.Mostly what we have done is take several blemished 94s and picking the perfect parts from the group and assembling one mint gun, and selling the leftover parts as good used. As many of you know, the process of iron plating then applying the blue finish, is no longer done, and trying to use conventional blueing process gives an eerie appearance that is not acceptably. We have sent some out for an epoxy coating, but still not close enough for my satisfaction. More recently, we have powder coated thereceivers with a gloss black powder applied a little thick, with the results in appearance very acceptably with the exception of filling in the etchings. Does anybody know of a process or a company that can get a near factory finish using a metal finish similar to the one used by Win?? Any help would be greatly appreciated

Scorch · June 22, 2006, 01:53 PM

Like you, when I was doing restorations we used to send the guns out for iron plating and then blue them. Worked OK, but had its limitations too.

I did one gun that we sent out for black oxide plating and it looked great except for a few areas on the inside of the tang and on the inside of the receiver. It adds dimensionally to the receiver, but with a 94 that is not an issue since they are so loose. I'm not exactly sure what black oxide plating is, but I do remember it was more expensive and harder to find anyone to do it.

I contemplated black chrome, but it tends to be somewhat grey or silvery. Also tried ceramic coating and it was nice but looked like ceramic or thick paint, plus it plugged the holes with gritty abrasive overrun. It was almost impossible to remove.

I have seen black nickel, which looks OK but I heard it is difficult to apply to large objects. Talk to a plater about the problem and see what they suggest.

SOSARMS · June 22, 2006, 01:59 PM

Thanks for the info...
Did try one Black Oxide, but it turned our purple hue..company even tried it 3 times...still the same.
Recently bought a plating kit with black chrome, copper and gold solutions, but haven't tried it yet..
Thought I could copper plate some jewelry for my girlfriend, and convince her that the reason it was so dark that it was a better grade of gold....!!

Scorch · June 22, 2006, 02:03 PM

Good luck selling that idea to your girlfriend!

If she finds out, get ready for the fireworks!

George R · June 22, 2006, 03:44 PM

As little as I know about it, here's my 2c worth....Receivers from 2,770,000 to 5,024,957 were machined from a graphitic steel casting. 3,185692 to 3,806,499 were black chrome plated and the others were iron plated. I've blued quite a few of these with DuLite's 3-0 salts which is the same stuff I use for hot blueing stainless steel. About the best polish I can get is 400 grit. It's a real pain to do.
Lately, I've been alum oxide blasting, filling the pits with Lauer's Dura Fil, liquid phosphaizing and then finishing with TR Gun Kote.
Either way, it's no fun. Hope this helps.

SOSARMS · June 22, 2006, 04:02 PM

Yes, George , you are correct.....By the way, have i sent some pieces to you years ago for gold plating ?? Roghar??? Specialized Outdoor Sports

George R · June 22, 2006, 04:11 PM

Hi. I think you did. Must have been quite a long time ago. I changed my data base three years ago and you're not in the new one. My website is www.gunblue.homestead.com. What's your's?

SOSARMS · June 22, 2006, 05:26 PM

Probably was....ours is www.sosarms.us

June 22, 2006, 12:02 PM	#1
SOSARMS Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: The great Buckeye state...where nuts are not just for eating Posts: 623	Winchester 94 comm. restorations We have been in the business of restoring Win 94 commemoratives for 25+ years, and on occasions have run into some problem children....especially the receiver.Mostly what we have done is take several blemished 94s and picking the perfect parts from the group and assembling one mint gun, and selling the leftover parts as good used. As many of you know, the process of iron plating then applying the blue finish, is no longer done, and trying to use conventional blueing process gives an eerie appearance that is not acceptably. We have sent some out for an epoxy coating, but still not close enough for my satisfaction. More recently, we have powder coated thereceivers with a gloss black powder applied a little thick, with the results in appearance very acceptably with the exception of filling in the etchings. Does anybody know of a process or a company that can get a near factory finish using a metal finish similar to the one used by Win?? Any help would be greatly appreciated

June 22, 2006, 01:53 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Like you, when I was doing restorations we used to send the guns out for iron plating and then blue them. Worked OK, but had its limitations too. I did one gun that we sent out for black oxide plating and it looked great except for a few areas on the inside of the tang and on the inside of the receiver. It adds dimensionally to the receiver, but with a 94 that is not an issue since they are so loose. I'm not exactly sure what black oxide plating is, but I do remember it was more expensive and harder to find anyone to do it. I contemplated black chrome, but it tends to be somewhat grey or silvery. Also tried ceramic coating and it was nice but looked like ceramic or thick paint, plus it plugged the holes with gritty abrasive overrun. It was almost impossible to remove. I have seen black nickel, which looks OK but I heard it is difficult to apply to large objects. Talk to a plater about the problem and see what they suggest. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 22, 2006, 02:03 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Good luck selling that idea to your girlfriend! If she finds out, get ready for the fireworks! __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

June 22, 2006, 03:44 PM	#5
George R Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 151	Win 94 As little as I know about it, here's my 2c worth....Receivers from 2,770,000 to 5,024,957 were machined from a graphitic steel casting. 3,185692 to 3,806,499 were black chrome plated and the others were iron plated. I've blued quite a few of these with DuLite's 3-0 salts which is the same stuff I use for hot blueing stainless steel. About the best polish I can get is 400 grit. It's a real pain to do. Lately, I've been alum oxide blasting, filling the pits with Lauer's Dura Fil, liquid phosphaizing and then finishing with TR Gun Kote. Either way, it's no fun. Hope this helps.

June 22, 2006, 04:11 PM	#7
George R Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 151	Sos Hi. I think you did. Must have been quite a long time ago. I changed my data base three years ago and you're not in the new one. My website is www.gunblue.homestead.com. What's your's?

June 22, 2006, 01:59 PM	#3
SOSARMS Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: The great Buckeye state...where nuts are not just for eating Posts: 623	Thanks for the info... Did try one Black Oxide, but it turned our purple hue..company even tried it 3 times...still the same. Recently bought a plating kit with black chrome, copper and gold solutions, but haven't tried it yet.. Thought I could copper plate some jewelry for my girlfriend, and convince her that the reason it was so dark that it was a better grade of gold....!!

June 22, 2006, 04:02 PM	#6
SOSARMS Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: The great Buckeye state...where nuts are not just for eating Posts: 623	Yes, George , you are correct.....By the way, have i sent some pieces to you years ago for gold plating ?? Roghar??? Specialized Outdoor Sports

June 22, 2006, 05:26 PM	#8
SOSARMS Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2006 Location: The great Buckeye state...where nuts are not just for eating Posts: 623	George R Probably was....ours is www.sosarms.us