Image: A set of Francotte 12 gauge side-by-side barrels in the process of rust bluing. Explore our gallery to see more restoration examples.
The Timeless Craft of Rust Bluing: A Storied History in Firearms Finishing
If there’s one thing a collector loves, it’s a firearm that tells a story. And when it comes to finish work, few methods speak to the craftsmanship and timeless appeal of the old ways like rust bluing.
In the antique firearms world, rust bluing isn’t just a finishing touch—it’s a hallmark of durability, beauty, and tradition. But where did this technique come from? And how did it come to adorn some of the finest firearms ever made? Let’s dive deep into the fascinating history of rust bluing, a process steeped in chemistry, artistry, and a touch of mystery.
Today’s article continues our four-part series where we’ll do a historical deep dive into each of the old-world metal finishes we’ve perfected:
- Color case hardening
- Charcoal bluing
- Rust bluing (currently reading)
- Nitre bluing
Tell us your stories.
As always, we want to hear from you! What are your stories? The comment section is open below.
In This Article:
- What Is Rust Bluing?
- Rust Bluing and Firearms: A Match Made in History
- The Process: An Art as Much as a Science
- Surprising Tidbits about Rust Bluing
- What Makes Rust Bluing Special?
- Decline and Resurgence: The Changing Fates of Rust Bluing
- Rust Bluing Today: A Labor of Love
- Share Your Stories
- Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Image: Rust blued barrel of a restored Büchel Meister schuetzen rifle. Explore our gallery to see more single shot restoration examples.
Rust bluing has its roots in the 19th century, a time when firearms manufacturing was transitioning from handcrafted artisan work to more industrialized production methods. The process was born out of necessity: firearms needed protection against the relentless ravages of rust and corrosion. But unlike today’s modern finishes, early methods relied on chemistry that worked slowly and deliberately, requiring a watchful eye and a patient hand.
The essence of rust bluing lies in controlled oxidation. At its core, rust bluing is a process of intentionally forming a layer of rust on steel and then transforming it into a durable, blue-black coating through boiling and carding (scrubbing the rusted layer off with fine steel wool or a carding wheel). This might sound like a convoluted way to protect metal, but the results were worth the effort. The finish was not only aesthetically pleasing, with a deep, lustrous appearance, but also provided remarkable resistance to wear and weather.
Image: Rust blued barrel of a restored Winchester Model 1886 rifle. Explore our gallery to see more lever-action restoration examples.
While it’s tricky to pin down the exact firearm or gunsmith that first employed rust bluing, the practice gained prominence in Europe during the mid-19th century. Many European gunsmiths—famed for their precision and quality—were early adopters of the technique. Rust bluing became synonymous with the craftsmanship of high-end sporting arms and fine shotguns.
By the late 1800s, rust bluing had crossed the Atlantic and began appearing on American firearms. Surprisingly, rust bluing wasn’t initially used on complete firearms. Some practitioners focused on smaller components like screws, bolts, and barrel bands—more commonly a job for charcoal bluing—before applying it to barrels. This piecemeal approach was likely due to the labor-intensive nature of the process and the challenges of achieving uniform results across larger surfaces.
Image: A restored Winchester Model 1890 rifle barrel in the process of rust bluing. Explore our gallery to see more rimfire restoration examples.
Rust bluing might be described as “controlled chaos.” At its heart, it’s all about letting steel rust—but only just enough, and not too much. Here’s how it works:
- Preparation: The firearm’s steel parts are meticulously polished to the proper finish, using just the right grit. Any oils or contaminants must be removed entirely, as they can interfere with the rusting process.
- Application of Solution: A specially formulated rusting solution is applied to the steel surface.
- Rust Formation: The treated steel sits in a controlled environment. Over a period of time, a fine layer of rust forms.
- Boiling: The rusted steel is submerged in boiling distilled water, which converts the rust from ferrous oxide to ferric oxide (a more stable form).
- Carding: The surface is scrubbed with fine steel wool or a soft wire wheel to remove loose oxide, revealing the first layer of bluing beneath.
- Repetition: This cycle of rusting, boiling, and carding is repeated multiple times until the desired depth of color and finish is achieved.
Surprising Tidbits about Rust Bluing
Rust for Protection? It may seem counterintuitive, but rust bluing proves that rust can protect steel when done right. This “use rust to fight rust” approach is one of nature’s happy paradoxes.
Color Variations: While most rust bluing results in a deep blue-black finish, subtle variations in technique and steel composition can produce hints of plum or gray, adding unique character to the firearm.
The “Formula Secrets”: Early rusting solutions were often guarded like state secrets. Gunsmiths had their own recipes, and some even claimed their mixtures were passed down through generations.
Image: Rust blued barrels on a restored Parker BHE side-by-side shotgun. Explore our gallery to see more shotgun restoration examples.
For those used to the lightning-fast finishes of modern times, rust bluing can feel downright glacial. But therein lies its charm. Each pass through the process builds depth and character, resulting in a finish that’s as tactile as it is visual. It doesn’t just coat the steel; it bonds with it, creating a finish that’s resistant to scratches and corrosion.
Collectors often marvel at the tactile warmth of a rust-blued firearm. Unlike hot bluing, which can feel slick or artificial, rust bluing has a velvety, organic quality. Some even say it “ages” better, developing a patina that adds to the firearm’s story over time.
Image: Barrel of a Turnbull-Finished Winchester Model 1892 Takedown rifle. Our modern expression of the Old West classic is another example of our dedication to classic metal and wood finishes. Browse our showroom to see one example. Explore our Finishing Services page for additional modern Winchester finishing ideas.
By the early 20th century, rust bluing began to give way to hot caustic bluing—a faster, less labor-intensive process better suited to mass production. Rust bluing, with its multiple cycles and hands-on care, simply couldn’t compete in a world increasingly dominated by assembly lines and bottom lines.
However, rust bluing never disappeared entirely. Its durability made it a favorite for military firearms, where reliability often trumped aesthetics. Notably, the legendary Luger P08 pistols of World War I and II were rust-blued, as were many Mauser rifles. Even as the firearm industry embraced hot bluing, rust bluing remained the gold standard for precision firearms and bespoke pieces.
Today, rust bluing has seen a resurgence among collectors and custom gunsmiths. Enthusiasts seeking authenticity and artisans striving to recapture the magic of a bygone era have embraced the technique with open arms.
For today’s firearm restorers and custom builders, rust bluing is more than just a finish—it’s a tribute to the craft and a nod to history. Each project is a testament to the patience and skill of the gunsmith, a labor of love that turns raw steel into a work of art.
If you’ve ever held a rust-blued firearm, you know it feels alive in a way modern finishes don’t. There’s a depth to the color and a texture to the surface that evokes the hands of the craftsman and the passage of time.
So, the next time you admire a rust-blued rifle or shotgun, take a moment to appreciate the journey it took to get there. That finish isn’t just protecting the steel—it’s preserving a piece of history.
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