HOT BLUE vs. RUST BLUE

ENBLOC

November 02, 2011 16:49

I'm working of having a rifle built on a Mauser Action. The question has come up about bluing. The Gunsmith has hot blue in three finishes, brushed, semi-gloss, and hi-gloss. Also offered is rust blued. The price ranges up thru the 4 finishes ($125 - $250). The original Mausers were rust blued...correct? Would you say that is a semi-gloss finish? Seems to look good 100 years later.
This will probably be a once in a life-time project for me, but you never know. Can you tell the difference in hot blue vs. rust blue? Can you be fooled? What would you choose AND why? I just don't know enough to make a decision.........[?]
ENBLOC

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  charliemeyer007

  November 02, 2011 17:06

  My favorite is that deep blue black hot salts over a bead blast surface preperation. Very little shine to give away your position. I think the rust blue was used for stuff that were soft soldered together.

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  nononsense

  November 02, 2011 18:17

  ENBLOC,
  
  There will never be any doubt in my mind that the proper and best choice is rust blue.
  
  Yes, I can tell the difference and if this is a once in a lifetime project, I suggest using the rust blue. Be sure that you see examples of his rust blue work before committing to the finish.
  
  Best.

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  Ned Fall

  November 03, 2011 11:06

  The level of the gloss refers to the amount of polishing done before bluing. A high gloss will have a mirror like finish. Bluing whatever the kind is just a control rusting, Hot Salts bluing can be done in as little as half an hour while rust bluing is labor intensive and can take up to a week. As far as metal protection, neither is better than the other. The metal must be kept dry and oiled to prevent rusting.

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  v35

  November 04, 2011 19:23

  +1 .
  Rust blue and if it's a hunting gun, brushed or semi-gloss.
  Leave the high gloss for a range or safe queen.
  Glint off a glossy barrel is a sure game spooker.

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