Fox Collectors

Some of you know I have a background in chemistry and have been experimenting for a while now to simulate OLD case colors via a quick chemical process. Another thread here on removing torch colors prompts me to post some pics of the latest prototyping. This is a s/n 15,xxx CE Fox that was worn pretty bright over 100 or so years. Silvers

Nice blue/gray hues. How durable are the colors on high chrome molly and high nickle content steels?

I stumbled onto a polomer auto polish called Nu Finish that when applied to Damascus barrels enhanced the contrast between the iron and steel and really brings out the pattern. So far one application every year or two keeps the pattern sharp.

There's some yellow and gold in there too, hard to see in the sunlight where the pics were taken. This is a two step process and the chemicals don't react with the alloying elements or even the iron/steel itself. The existing case "skin" is primarily ferric carbide and it gets colored by reaction with the two chems. This is not a dye nor a paint. Durability? Of course I don't know but the frame on this gun wasn't protected with lacquer or varnish and it's been out on the sporting courses 6 times now, all hand held and deliberately rubbed with my shooting gloves while walking, not in the cart gun rack. Pics taken a couple of days ago. I do know it takes scotchbrite or similar to rub the colors off a test frame I have.

PS I am not soliciting to do this work for others. Just wanted to share a possibility for old Foxes that probably won't look good with brand new real color case hardening. Right now this is hobbyist stuff but once I get this finalized I may approach someone to market it. Silvers

Looks really nice but will the chemicals advance any type of rusting like the cold blueing does?

Good question. No, I doubt it. Cold blue seems to enhance oxidizidation of ferrous compounds to red rust. The chemicals used in this process are other metallic salts and react to relatively inert compounds when the coloring is done. Of course time will tell. I'll be testing this on non-Fox guns as well, a friend wants to bring what he calls a "French/Belgian sideplated boxlock" by and we'll do it together. That's all I know about it. That will be after the first of the year. Huntin' season is here. Silvers

I have it on good authority that Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, primarily sodium hydroxide I suspect, with 00 steel wool and rubbing will produce a good french gray. Never tried it but the fellow who told me about it knows his stuff.

I haven't heard about that Lysol technique for a french gray type look. Actually there are several chemicals that will produce a grayish color but I'd be careful to do some test coupons first. Some will further react over time with oxygen or moisture in the air to create ferrous compounds. The challenge is to create stable grays along with the subtle blues/yellows/gold that predominate the earlier Fox factory colors.

My old Stevens 5100 has a polished receiver - not super shiny, but no case colors at all - it was that way when I bought it; don't know if it's original or not. Anyway, I'm not crazy about the look of it, plus it gets rust spots if it even looks like rain. Is there any easy way to give it some color and protection? I don't want it to look terrible. I saw something on doublegunshop.com suggesting a few things you can smear on - anyone have something that works? Thanks...

I use this on my guns that need the protection, especially my J. Stevens model 375. Seems to help.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... tid=155478

Mike

mc15426378 wrote:I use this on my guns that need the protection, especially my J. Stevens model 375. Seems to help.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... tid=155478

Mike

Thanks; doesnt help the appearance, however.