Reblueing

[Sverre A.]

My gunsmith have tried to reblue my 94.  He thought he succeed but when he take a cloth with some oil on the frame - it become "silver" again.  Everything else is blue.  He has tried everything his knowledge content about reblueing - and tell me that I have to live with a "hybrid".  He says there are to much nickle on the frame - and that`s why he don`t get it blue.

Someone out there who can tell him how to do it?

[Mikey]

Sverre:  it is my understanding that nickle doesn't take blue or doesn't take it well.  I have an old (1927 manufacture) M94 in nickle and have been told (1) don't do anything to it as it (a) may not take and (b) would ruin any collector value and (2) nickle or nickled steel doesn't blue.  I'm not certain about the accuracy of those statements but I decided to leave it as it is.

The is a technique some have used to upgrade/update older 94s and that is to bead blast the metal and then blue it - it comes out like a matt finish.  There are also finishes you can buy to protect and upgrade that older rifle.  If you go on up to the Custom Rifle Forum there is a thread about 'Finishes' and some of the posters there talk about the different finishes available on the market today and how good they are.  That may help.  Mikey.