Period Correct Bluing Model 1897 Shotgun

The Rattler · July 23, 2020, 02:34 PM

I refinished the stocks on my Model 1897 shotgun that was made either in 1915 or 1913 depending upon which website you use. I used Pilkington’s red-brown Classic Gunstock Finish on them that is recommended by some for pre-64 finish correctness. I now am considering having the metal reblued. If I do it, I would like to do it as close to the original bluing as practicable.

1. Was the bluing on Model 1897s originally matt, glossy, or what?

2. Do any of you have pictures that would guide me? Or, perhaps links to websites that would guide me?

3. Are there gunsmiths who do a good job of period correct bluing? If so, kindly give me their names and contact information, if possible.

I will not do any of the bluing myself, so I need to give the refinisher as much descriptive guidance as possible.

Thank you very much.

PS: I refinished the stocks because both of them were very badly soaked in lubricating oil. The entire neck of the buttstock was black with one line going the entire length and the exiting at the butt end cut & discoloring it there.

Scorch · July 23, 2020, 06:00 PM

Winchester rifles before WW2 were rust blued.

FrankenMauser · July 23, 2020, 06:05 PM

It would have originally been rust blued, with a finish somewhere between satin and high gloss.

Hot salt bluing won't achieve the same color. But rust bluing is a very expensive proposition today. Very labor intensive, and labor is far more expensive now.
Pick your poison.

Dfariswheel · July 23, 2020, 06:31 PM

As above many older guns were rust blued.
This is a very labor intensive process that gives a more satin finish then modern hot salts bluing, but a finish that's more durable then hot salts.
The color is more blue then the blue-black of modern bluing.

Due to the high level of hand labor rust bluing is more expensive.
Here's some people who do it so you can contact them for an estimate of cost.

http://turnbullrestoration.com/ (Really hold on to your wallet with Turnbull.
They're the best in the world and charge accordingly).

http://www.ronsgunshop.com/

Rust bluing is a finish you can do on a kitchen stove, but is messy and time consuming.

Hawg · July 23, 2020, 10:06 PM

The receivers were color case hardened.

The Rattler · July 24, 2020, 10:56 AM

Thank you very much for these well informed replies!

FrankenMauser · July 24, 2020, 11:49 AM

Standard finish was rust bluing.
Color case hardening was available on higher grades, or special order.

July 23, 2020, 02:34 PM	#1
The Rattler Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2013 Posts: 111	Period Correct Bluing Model 1897 Shotgun I refinished the stocks on my Model 1897 shotgun that was made either in 1915 or 1913 depending upon which website you use. I used Pilkington’s red-brown Classic Gunstock Finish on them that is recommended by some for pre-64 finish correctness. I now am considering having the metal reblued. If I do it, I would like to do it as close to the original bluing as practicable. 1. Was the bluing on Model 1897s originally matt, glossy, or what? 2. Do any of you have pictures that would guide me? Or, perhaps links to websites that would guide me? 3. Are there gunsmiths who do a good job of period correct bluing? If so, kindly give me their names and contact information, if possible. I will not do any of the bluing myself, so I need to give the refinisher as much descriptive guidance as possible. Thank you very much. PS: I refinished the stocks because both of them were very badly soaked in lubricating oil. The entire neck of the buttstock was black with one line going the entire length and the exiting at the butt end cut & discoloring it there. Last edited by The Rattler; July 23, 2020 at 04:14 PM.

July 23, 2020, 06:00 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Winchester rifles before WW2 were rust blued. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

July 23, 2020, 06:05 PM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	It would have originally been rust blued, with a finish somewhere between satin and high gloss. Hot salt bluing won't achieve the same color. But rust bluing is a very expensive proposition today. Very labor intensive, and labor is far more expensive now. Pick your poison. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 24, 2020, 11:49 AM	#7
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Standard finish was rust bluing. Color case hardening was available on higher grades, or special order. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

July 23, 2020, 06:31 PM	#4
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	As above many older guns were rust blued. This is a very labor intensive process that gives a more satin finish then modern hot salts bluing, but a finish that's more durable then hot salts. The color is more blue then the blue-black of modern bluing. Due to the high level of hand labor rust bluing is more expensive. Here's some people who do it so you can contact them for an estimate of cost. http://turnbullrestoration.com/ (Really hold on to your wallet with Turnbull. They're the best in the world and charge accordingly). http://www.ronsgunshop.com/ Rust bluing is a finish you can do on a kitchen stove, but is messy and time consuming.

July 23, 2020, 10:06 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	The receivers were color case hardened.

July 24, 2020, 10:56 AM	#6
The Rattler Senior Member Join Date: August 14, 2013 Posts: 111	Thank you very much for these well informed replies!