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Update -Weld Effect on Steel to be Blued?

rhmc24
I'm wondering how welding will affect blue-ability of gun steel. Specifically I did a couple MIG welds on a 1905 Colt .45 Auto slide, polished it off to mirror finish like the rest. Question is - does anyone have any info or experience as to whether a salts blue will show a difference? Steels can have various alloys of chromium, manganese, cobalt, etc. I know some steels resist blue, like certain old Win 1912 shotguns.

Stainless steel is not a factor in this issue.

For info, I have lengthened flintlock barrels and there is usually difference, in browned finish, between original barrel, the weld and the added piece - three different steels. I have found that heating the area to a red heat will usually minimize the difference. I don't want to do that on the Colt.

Comments and experience-based info especially appreciated.

edit Stands to reason if the metal is the same the blue would be the same. New question for 'experts' how do you know what kind of metal you are welding? - metal 100 years old.

Second Edit a Few Weeks Later Blue job returned & unable to see weld area. I checked in several light sources including sunlight. Probably lucked out with welding rod being close to same steel in 1905 Colt.
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • nord
    Blue or brown is a function of oxidation. Differing metals oxidize differently. It's therefore unlikely that the match will be perfect.
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  • mrbruce
    Unless it's welded with the same exact material it will show up when it's finished...
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  • JIM STARK
    Low alloy steel filler metals (E-70S-2 types)will take blueing fairly well....I had a real bad experience when a friend welded some threaded holes in a shotgun receiver with high nickel wire..It would neither blue or parkerize....
    Best of luck...
    JIM..................
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    quote:Originally posted by mrbruce
    Unless it's welded with the same exact material it will show up when it's finished...
    Yep, exactly.

    Edit for your edit: Therein lies the rub IMO. One would have to figure the exact chemical makeup of the parent metal and then have filler metal made to those specs. From what I have seen in my time on this planet is that there would be an extremely narrow window to have the two metals blue the same. Possible in today's high tech world? Maybe so. But I'm sure you could buy a boxcar load of pistols for the cost.
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  • rhmc24
    I'll revive this thread and report results when I get it done. Thanks to all who read and responded.
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  • Bill DeShivs
    Bluing will probably show. Nickel plating will cover it.
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  • robert smith
    you will have better results if you remove the copper coating that is on the wire. we always tig weld on firearms and the cut rod for tig also has copper coat to keep it from rusting. if it is not removed it will cause strange things to happen when you go to blue the piece.
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  • perry shooter
    You Done Good go buy a lottery Ticket you are on a roll. [^]
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