Ruger single six frame coloration

dan1795

February 12, 2012 06:59

I have a Ruger single six convertible .22 cal. MFG.about 1963. The frame has a reddish color and not the normal blue/black color of others that I have seen. Does this affect the value of the gun? thank you.

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  tsr1965

  February 12, 2012 07:05

  dan1795,
  
  No sir, it does not effect the value. It actually might enhance it a little, if anything. I know that a lot of the older models, have a purple tinting to the loading gate too. It adds character, and it is what a lot of collectors look for.
  
  Best

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  dan1795

  February 12, 2012 08:24

  Thank you for the timely reply and positive information. I read an article many yearrs ago that some frames became discolored due to a chemical interaction with the bluing salts and the makeup of the metal alloy used in mfg. the frame. I never really haerd much more about the problem, and did not know if that was accurate.
  Thanks again,
  dan1795

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  badsbsnf81

  February 12, 2012 12:35

  Also happens to S&W Model 39 slides.

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  machine gun moran

  February 16, 2012 09:23

  I've read that a high nickel content in the steel will produce a red tint during the blueing process. It appears to be more of a problem with re-blued guns than with factory finishes. Back in the '70's we had a problem with some re-blues coming out with a red tint, notably Ruger receivers and Win model 12 receivers, but we solved that by deviating the temperature of the bluing bath in alternately the high and low directions away from 310 degrees. The guns came out a nice blue-black. I don't know what techniques the factories use.

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  dfletcher

  February 16, 2012 14:00

  To show how relative this sort of thing is, I had a Dan Wesson Pistol Pac bought about 1979. I already had a DW with extra barrels so I really never used the PP gun - still had the brown wrapping paper, front sights in the paper envelope, extra grips & belt buckle, patch, etc. As soon as I saw the frame turn plum I put it up for sale (in CA)for $1,500.00. Sold in about 15 minutes, the buyer favored the plum look. I can't stand the look. I can tolerate it on small parts like a Ruger loading gate, Rem 40X bolt but other than that, not for me.
  
  Supposedly the cause is the aging process on improperly blued cast steel parts. Just what I've heard.

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