charcoal bluing a barrel

[colt]

I am confused. Not that thats unusual,I have read in here about packing the bore and burying the barrel in pure charcoal for a while ( 1 to 3 hours?)and ive read about just holding a barrel over the heat to blue it.(on acers jeager site i think). Can some one clearify the process for me?

much appreciated
Ken

[bob in the woods]

2 different things.  The method where you hold the barrel over the charcoal is just a heat blue, not a true charcoal blue. Any heat source would work.

[colt]

Thank you for clarifying Bob. i kinda thought that was the case but the heat blueing was referred to as charcoal blueing. Do you take the barrel out of the fire to rub while charcoal blueiing or just leave it in? Is one kind,heat blueing  or charcoal more durable?
Thank you,
Ken

[bob in the woods]

Charcoal blueing is more durable than heat blueing.  I have heat blued  4 barrels, and liked the results.  I oiled them afterwards and they have stood up reasonably well. I've only done 1 charcoal blue, and I left the barrel alone in the charcoal, not removing it etc like some say to do. I got the instructions from a posting by Eric Kettenburg.  It worked , so I'm not about to tamper with the method. I say right up front, though...I am no expert in this. The first was an experiment, and I was extremely nervous about ruining an expensive barrel.  One barrel I heat blued, warped. It was a pain in the a**to straighten it, so beware of the possibilities when trying this stuff. Oh ya...one more thing.  Don't use brass barrel lugs if you plan to charcoal blue. You won't be happy.

[colt]

Thanks Bob,
I am going to charcoal blue my barrel in next couple weeks. I am going to degrease and pack the bore with charcoal (pure hardwood kind)and leave it in the fire for 2-3 hours. Then let sit a couple days and oil. I will keep you posted. Thanks again,
Ken

[Acer Saccharum]

The heat blue on my jaeger barrel, while pretty, is very fragile. It will not stand up to wear, but will last long enough to make a good impression on a duke or Lord. He will be happy to trade his daughter for such a pretty gun.

tom

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

But you already have a daughter - and a very pretty and fine one she is.  Why would you want another one, Tom?

[David Rase]

Ken,
Here is a link tth Jack Brooks web sight and a tutorial on how he blues a barrel.
http://www.jsbrookslongrifles.com/theclassroom.htm
DMR

[colt]

Thank you dave, I will definately check it out
Ken