Case hardening

[TreeMan]

I have an original Springfield lock that was originally case hardened but has been blued at some point over top of the case hardening. Is there a way to remove the hot bluing without removing the color case hardening underneath it? I know vinegar will remove blueing and fake case hardening. Not sure about whether it will remove real case hardening or not. The case hardening may have been polished prior to bluing it but I’m curious to see if it’s still there under the bluing.

 

[Ed C.]

What about stripping it down, see what you have, and then if need be, apply fake case hardening from a kit?

 

[64Springer]

The answer is NO.

Bluing is an oxide.

Color case hardening color is an oxide.

Below is an 1861 lock plate. The shiny part is bluing and rust remover.

 

[TreeMan]

The answer is NO.

Bluing is an oxide.

Color case hardening color is an oxide.

Thank you. That’s exactly what I needed to know. I may remove the bluing and case harden it again. I was shooting for originality.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The case hardening is still there, the colors are gone and can not be seen agin. To get it back invokes annealing the parts then polish as required and color case hardening with wood and bone char coal.