Painted Model 12?

[Kernel Panic]

I was given a Winchester Model 12 that has been improperly stored for several decades. I cleaned it up and it functions just fine. It is mostly made of nickle/steel (says so on the barrel), but I noted that parts like the trigger group are actually painted. This seems funny as the Model 12 has the reputation of being very well built. I am trying to make it a little more presentable and was wondering whether I should blue those parts. Also, how do you remove minor pitting.

 

[gunsaholic]

0000 steel wool and oil will remove light rust but if it is actual pitting I know of no other way other than sanding or filing those areas which will require refinishing. It should have no painted parts. Also, if you are rebluing nickel steel it has to be done a certain way as nickel doesn't absorb bluing like other steel.

 

[Kernel Panic]

I guess I will have to reblue the painted parts then. Are you saying that a cold blue would likely look something like the plum color on an SVT-40? Forgive my shotgun terminology, but I polished the thing that goes from the pump handle to the receiver, then blued it and it looks quite good, but it's different steel.

 

[gunsaholic]

Yes, whatever parts are nickel, which may be just the barrel, will most likely develop shades of a plum color. My dad had a nickel steel model 12 reblued by the hot tank method by a gunsmith not versed in nickel steel. It has blotches of plumish/blue color to it. Small parts that you are describing may well blue by cold blue but it is not a durable bluing method.

 

[struff55]

Normal bluing salts operate at 292 f if u reblue nickel steel u have to run the salts up to 305-310 f which is not as simple as turning up the heat bluing salts temp is controlled by adding salts or adding water . Bluing is not a coating it is a chemical reaction with the metal it is actually a form of rusting .