That 'purplish' color on extractors and ejector boxes...
- Thread starter Pat
- Start date
Steel usually gets purplish hue from high carbon content of the steel from heat treatment IIRC. Can also be caused by bluing process.
I have a Mosin 91/30 with a really purple looking barrel. My understanding was the Belgian barrels that Tikka used took on the purplish hue. Just a thought.
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I have a Mosin 91/30 with a really purple looking barrel. My understanding was the Belgian barrels that Tikka used took on the purplish hue. Just a thought.
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YEAH, a friend of mine does hot bluing and the temperature of the solution has a lot to do with the colour of the blue. For most steel a too cool temp results in a greenish tint and too hot tends to make an orange or reddish "blue". Heat treated steel changes the water on the beans altogether. Many extractors on the German K98k's were positively orange in colour.
agalland
Well-known member
Yes...the carbon content has everything to do with it ...I have a DOU 43 sporter that I made into an LSR repop...it has a bcd bolt and the former owner had removed the bluing on the extractor...5 years on and the extractor is starting to turn orange again even though I never reblued it.
Got it, thanks for clarifying that and adding your own experiences. I've been seeing it for a long time (like everyone else) but never really thought too much about it. Then I received this...look at the bayonet color compared to the barrel on this Model 1938 Carcano Cavalry Carbine-
Pat
Pat
I've heard it's due to nickel content in the steel when blued. Lots of our refurb svt40 come with plum bolts and carrier. Guys remove it with vinegar. So it's just part of the bluing in my opinion.
Got it, thanks for clarifying that and adding your own experiences. I've been seeing it for a long time (like everyone else) but never really thought too much about it. Then I received this...look at the bayonet color compared to the barrel on this Model 1938 Carcano Cavalry Carbine-
Pat
Pat, my Model 38 carbine has the same plum shade bayonet as yours. As far as K98k's, seems like the plum extractors and bolt release spring are seen on the Brunn made rifles more often than the other makers from what I've seen. I have seen a few rear sight springs that were a plum color as well.
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Extractors, bolt release springs, rear sight springs, even bayonets, all are specifically hardened high carbon steel. "Spring" steel.
I'm not disputing the temp of the bluing solution has something to do with it, I'm just citing the similarities in the steel type. I'm guessing that the Czechs, the Germans, the Poles, etc who made these rifles probably knew how to blue a piece of metal.
Just sayin'.
Interesting topic, though.
Extractors, bolt release springs, rear sight springs, even bayonets, all are specifically hardened high carbon steel. "Spring" steel.
I'm not disputing the temp of the bluing solution has something to do with it, I'm just citing the similarities in the steel type. I'm guessing that the Czechs, the Germans, the Poles, etc who made these rifles probably knew how to blue a piece of metal.
Just sayin'.
Interesting topic, though.
Humbarger
Senior Member
The more carbon takes higher temperature to make the purple go to a nice blue color. I let those parts get to 310 degrees
Then the parts takes on a nice blue.