Early 219 bluing color

[TXTROUT66]

I have a second Era M219 30-30 that I'm about to start working on. Will need to be cleaned up, trigger addressed, metal buffed and reblued, new wood stocks, etc. Has heavy oxidation/bare metal, etc . Heavily oil stained stocks with chunks missing,  etc.

What was the original blueng like on the barrel? Was it blue bluing, a black bluing or a blue/black bluing? My early example are very worn and oxidized and my later 219B may not even be close in coloration to go off of.

While anything will look better than she currently is, was wanting to get close to an original color. One of those projects I was going to start a couple of years ago...

Thanks in advance,

Robert

[Garnett]

All of the bluing on these guns was about the same.  A deep blue.  A gunsmith friend says the early models were "rust" blued until the move to Chicopee Falls after WWII and the frames were color case hardened.  There is a good chance that your frame will turn a reddish/purple if you use a modern "hot" blue.  I have found the earlier prewar guns to have a better polish and therefore a brighter blue color than later guns.  Attached is a picture of my .25-20 Second Model Utica which I believe to be prewar.   Please let us know how your project turns out.  Click on the picture to enlarge.

[TXTROUT66]

Thank you, Garnett
,

I'm actually thinking of trying to rust blue it and recase color it. Not fully sure yet. I'm also thinking  about rechambering to 30_30 Ackley Improved to use with 120 grain bullets for antelope.

Robert

[Garnett]

Robert, the gun I picture is a Second Model Utica, made before WWII.  Once production was moved to Chicopee in 19046/47,  the color case hardened receivers started.  If your gun is like mine pictured, it would have originally been blued.  I hope this helps.

[TXTROUT66]

Thanks Garnett,

This one is a Utica made, so then blued. I'll move toward a rust bluing or consider using Durablue that does a great job of covering older guns.  Depends on how well I can get out the pitting.

Thanks again,

Robert