Question about plum

[wavehopr]

What causes the plum color on the older Rugers? I have a 1962 .357 BH, a 1966 .44 SBH, and a 1972 .44 SBH and none have even the least hint of plum. What causes it?

 

[flatgate]

A chemical reaction occurs in the bluing tanks. Depending on the particular composition of the steel alloys and the chemicals used for the bluing process, the color of the finished/blued product may vary.

We Ruger Collectors are usually big fans of "odd" stuff........

flatgate

 

[Luckyducker]

I have always attributed the Rugers turning plum color with age to the investment casting of their frames. You don't see this coloring in firearms that are billet cut, or a least I never have.

 

[rugerguy]

yes, ANY steel can be made to turn 'plum', in the case of the Rugers , it was an off and on thing, between the castings, its 'batch' make up ( alloys), and the temperatures of the process itself.................
as for the 'lightning streaks' seen in the frames, again, its the batch make, and some material just do NOT "color" ( blue) if in too high a quantity, such as chromium, etc.........thats why old Winchesters, that had 'nickel steel' barrels were a "Rosie O'Donnell" to reblue, and many shops would NOT do them , or wait till the end of the salt bath "life" and crank up the temps...thus "cooking ' the 'bath' which could then be 'changed (remixed) and start over again........

 

[foxtrapper]

Great question I have had blued Rugers done as full custom . One loading gate is going fruity on me :lol: I too thought is was the bluing technique Ruger used but it seems it's something in the metal mix.

 

[cas6969]

I have always attributed the Rugers turning plum color with age to the investment casting of their frames. You don't see this coloring in firearms that are billet cut, or a least I never have.

 

[Flash]

I've got a Beretta 1934 that's turning plum, had a Remington 700 and a Winchester 70 with plum bolt handles too.

 

[Mike Armstrong]

I have a Beretta Model 100 .32 ACP that has a plum slide and a Finnish Valmet 12 guage O/U that has a plum reciever; neither is a casting. Fortunately, I like plum, and not just in puddin'!

 

[ftlupton]

Most of the old Model 12 Winchesters with nickle barrels turn a nice plum color in old age. Shows class I think.

 

[Dan in MI]

I've seen some Monson MA Dan Wessons that would turn some Ruger collectors poiple with envy.

 

[ra]

I have a Dan Wesson 44 that I bought in the mid 80's that has turned a nice plum color.

ra

 

[Papaw]

Some Smith & Wessons will turn plum with age. I have a model 29-2 that in the right light the barrel and cylinder will look plum, but the frame does not.

 

[DGW1949]

It aint just steel that does it. I've seen a couple of aluminum OM Blackhawk ERH's that had turned plum (and blotchy).

DGW