Chuck,

Now you know I have to use the original finish methods and techniques. I can't hot tank an early 03 barrel. Even Mickey Mouse could spot that.

I have had excellent luck with rust bluing. I do it in my kitchen while I watch TV. It is cheap, anyone can do it, and it is a finish that Popeye can't remove. No power tools or tanks required. If properly done, you can stick it up against a grinder wire brush wheel and it won't remove the finish unless you just hold it there.

I like rust blue finishes anyway. I started doing my sporters in rust blue, and did the last one with a Zischang blue (irridescent blue). I bleached the American walnut stock (El Cheapo from American) and it brought out the grain so well, I decided not to logwood it. It is a beautiful rifle, and very accurate to boot (25-06).

After I posted last night, I tried an old trick I discovered by accident. I added iso-propynol to the mix, and it turns the metal a darker color quickly. I will let you know tonight if it worked. I recovered the mercury from a bunch of old mercury switches so I can make more authenticate browning batches.

Jim