Bluing or Browning a Wax Cast Buckhorn Sight

[Christophero]

Hello Gentlemen,
I've cold blued a few CF barrels in years past. Not much of a gunsmith with real expertise, a pretty decent tinkerer but have a question on this sight I just picked up: Rear sight, primitive buckhorn, for 15/16" or 1" octagon barrel, wax cast steel - Track of the Wolf

As it is wax cast it has some texture to the surface. That doesn't bother me but wondered if the piece needs smoothed before putting on a finish. If a thorough cleaning and then bluing or browning adheres as it is that suffices for its use, yet, this is beyond my knowledge.

 

[doubleset]

I have blued several of the TOW buckhorn sights very successfully with Oxpho-Blue (the Creme version). I did one for my Crockett rifle just a few weeks ago. Takes just a few minutes, and you can touch it up any time you need to, but the stuff really works and lasts for me. I think I did sand it lightly with very fine paper, but mostly to get the rough-ish casting features off it. But it shouldn't need that to take the bluing.

 

[Scota@4570]

I heat blue sights. Heat to barley red heat under normal shop lighting. Dunk immediately in canola oil. IF you decide you don't like it, you have lost nothing.

I do screws the same way.

I always remove cast-sandblasted texture on all parts. On sights, It goes fast with a needle file.

 

[doubleset]

I heat blue sights. Heat to barley red heat under normal shop lighting. Dunk immediately in canola oil.

So this is oil-tempering the sight? But why? What's your goal in doing this?

 

[Scota@4570]

No, the steel it not heat treatable.

It makes a durable blue black finish.

 

[doubleset]

Ah, I'll have to try that. Luckily I have a spare TOW buckhorn sight lying around.

 

[Christophero]

Thanks Men. 20 years ago a friend loaned me his Oxpho-Blue liquid to 'cold' blue a barrel. I submerged it in boiling water first, using a wire through the bore so to not touch the metal, and once it quickly dried applied the bluing. That still looks great to this day. John, sadly, passed a few years ago. About time I purchase a bottle for myself.

The Heat Bluing is a great idea, too. My Dad was a journeyman welder and I recall him dipping certain parts into oil on occasion and seeing the color change. Two great ways to complete this task. Much appreciation for your suggestions.

 

[rafterob]

You should smooth the sight to 180 grit minimum and no more than 220. If using the heat bluing method you would want the 220 finish.