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Why does it turn Plum?

litetrigger
I have a nice older set of sako rings. one has turned a plum color. anyone know why, and can they be reblued? thanks
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • perry shooter
    High carbon content and bluing temp when first done some ruger loading gates and other guns do this. It does not look great but may not be worth trying to reblue and getting same results.
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  • dfletcher
    Remington bolts and Dan Wesson revolver frames tend to do the same thing. As already posted I've been told it's a combination of steel composition, bluing and age.
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  • PA Shootist
    I have a Browning Auto 5 Light 20 I purchased new in 1969. Its barrel over the years has become increasingly plum colored, in a gradual process. It is still in excellent condition, the blue overall unmarked and unblemished, except for the purplish tint developing on the barrel. The blue used to match all over. I won't bother to try to refinish it, the color isn't offensive.
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  • shooterone
    I had a couple of Leupold scopes that I bought years ago new that turned purple in time. I kept the scopes in like new condition other wise. When I finely sold them the buyer was happy with the color. I dont know what caused the color change but I used to wipe them down with those treated gun rags on a regular basis.
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  • oscat271
    Hello all, new to this forum. Steel with a high nickle content will
    take a plum color. Rebluing most likely will not change much or be
    worth the effort and expense. A good example is rebluing a pre '64
    Win. 94. The reciever will contrast sharply with rest of steel parts.
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  • Toolman286
    High nickle content is what I was told also. When hot blueing certain actions, we would raise the temp and leave them in longer to darken the color.
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  • Michibay
    I have a Model 70 Super Grade that plumed-out on the trigger guard. The gun has never been fired.
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  • Horse Plains Drifter
    Some good thoughts here. I couldn't imagine why anybody would want to reblue because of this. I think it adds character. I have a new model Blackhawk that I bought when I was 15 or 16. That was in about 1977 and it has turned plum now.
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  • litetrigger
    I have a set of rings, one blue and the other plum. Don't like it!
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  • dcs shooters
    Silicone in cast parts that were not cleaned properly and low heat when bluing can also cause the metal to turn plum.
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  • richarda
    Krags & low number 1903s will also do this - they are low carbon & w/o nickel. ??
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