Case Colors on the Fox Guns

[JakeFlyFish]

Is there anyone doing decent colors on the Fox guns? I've used Allen Springer from Montana only once with very good results but I've been trying for a month to reach him and I cannot. Any suggestions on this PAC gun I'm restoring? Jerry

[VJfox]

Brad Bachelder case-colors fox guns and uses original process. I've seen some of the work and it looks excellent.

link: Bacheldermastergunmakers.com

[Big Friend Ten]

Hey Jerry,

I'm going to retrieve my new HE from Brad Bachelder this week. I had him restore the gun to include case hardeing/colors. I'll post photos on your website later this week.

I'll also post photos of my Grade 5 Elsie which Brad case hardened for me.

Mark

[DGKaas]

Just be advised that all A. H. Fox guns produced post WWI in Phila. or Utica were hardened using the cyanide process not the charcoal bone method. It is very hard to find someone to replicate this process today with the proper "straw" colors so typical of most original Foxes.

[JakeFlyFish]

Thanks all, much appreciated for the advice on this. Jerry

[HardCash]

Dewey Vicknair (Vicknair Restoration) completely restored an A grade for me and the color case hardening is amazing as is the rest of the Fox.
It is not my most expensive shotgun, but I enjoy it as much as any that I own.

[JakeFlyFish]

Do you have pictures of the colors on your restored Fox? thanks much, Jerry

[Stan Hillis]

Assuming that Bachelder, and all the others who are case-hardening today, is using bone charcoal pack, can he, or any of the others duplicate cyanide case-hardening using charcoal pack? In other words, can they get the straw color that was typically part of the colors in the cyanide method?

Stan

[bamboozler]

FWIW, Ron's Gun Shop in Oshkosh, WI is case coloring guns in both the bone charcoal and cyanide methods. I have not personally seen his work, but have been informed by a member of the ACGG that "he's very good". Heres a link to Ron's "Finishes" page, put your cursor over one of the thumbnail pics to see an example of that finish. http://www.ronsgunshop.com/finishes.html

[teckbot]

DGKaas stated that
"Just be advised that all A. H. Fox guns produced post WWI in Phila. or Utica were hardened using the cyanide process not the charcoal bone method. It is very hard to find someone to replicate this process today with the proper "straw" colors so typical of most original Foxes."

My first question then, what would the correct type color case be for a pre WW1 1905/6 gun?

Second, assuming that a person is already set up for charcoal color case hardening, what extra other than possasium cyanide is needed for authentic finish? How does the process differ and how difficult is it work with?