Thread: Re-blueing the old girls

Re bluing your P14 using a kit like that mentioned by Toby will certainly be worth while.
Applying the chemical blue is straight forward and very easy.
Preparing the surface to recieve the blue is everything.
The better this is done the better the end result will be.

Rebluing your Martini will severly reduce any collector value if your considering handing it on to family as a heirloom/collector peice.
The value will be retained only if it's in original condition and for older rifles like this the worn patina is what will be looked for.
I'd just keep it well oiled or if your storing it for any lenght of time I'd pack it in grease.

Here's some information on the calibre you mentioned.
5.6x52R and .22 Savage High-Power

Have a look at these posts and see which one matches your Grandads Rifle.
BSA Martini in 22 Savage Hi Power in Miniature, Rook and Cadet Rifle Forum Forum

Cheers
Pete

Originally Posted by P38

Preparing the surface to recieve the blue is everything.
The better this is done the better the end result will be.

Hows the best way the prep the steel? kero bath and steel wool?

Originally Posted by big_foot

Hows the best way the prep the steel? kero bath and steel wool?

Depending on how bad the surface finish is depends on how you prep.

I would steer clear of the Kero, use a good degreaser instead.

Begin with removing all the oil grease and rust.
Plug the barrel at both ends.

Check out how Larry Potterfield at Midway USA does it.

Gunsmithing - How to Polish a Rifle Barrel to Prepare It for Bluing - YouTube

Gunsmithing - How to Blue a Rifle Barrel Using Cold Blue Presented by Larry Potterfield of MidwayUSA - YouTube

I'd also polish the barrel and any other visible parts afer the 220 emery with 600 wet n dry then shine them up real nice with 0000 steel wool.

Also it is critically important to remove all traces of oil or grease from the steel surface, even the oil from a fingerprint will show in the finished product.

I'd also polish with 0000 steel wool between each application of Chemical Blue.

Finally the more layers of blue you apply the deeper the Blued finish will be.

I've reblued over a dozen rifles using this method.

The first one didn't turn out so good because I wasn't fussy enough with the prep, especially with making sure all the rust and oil/grease was removed.

Please Please Please DO NOT Reblue the Martini Henry.

It's way to nice to mess with the original finish.

Cheers
Pete