My 2nd Krag

[ssgross]

not thrilled with the results. It looked good. I let it cure for almost 2 days while work was busy and kept my mind off it. Wiped with a t-shirt and it goes back to looking like a single coat of any other cold blue. On the sides of the magazine where it wasn't polished, it did much better. I may scuff the floor plate with 400 grit to knock off the mirror and try again.

Looks like a rust blue is my way forward for this Krag. I'll likely build a steam column to do it. Brownells is sold out of their American rust blue solution, which is what many on the webs recommend. Anyone every try this company? https://www.rustblue.com/shop/bluing...blue-american/

[browningautorifle]

Looks like a rust blue is my way forward

There was a thread somewhere here with a member doing some pieces and showing us...might be worth a search and see?

[rcathey]

There was a thread somewhere here with a member doing some pieces and showing us...might be worth a search and see?

That would be me on the back strap of a 1917 S&W.

Found the thread: https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=68265&page=1

[ssgross]

Thanks, RC. Do you remember what solution you used? I'll practice on my 1903 parts. I'm a bit overwhelmed...work is not leaving enough time for my hobby, with no end in sight until the end of the summer. I need to just pick off one think at a time.
This weekend I'll try to find a couple hours after everyone's asleep to gently work my file/stones on the new front sight post to fit the dovetail on the barrel. The post comes slightly too long at the base. I will also clean up the outside...it comes with rough milling marks.

[rcathey]

I used this solution:
https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-t...?sku=082000010

[browningautorifle]

That would be me

I used this solution:

Great, now we can see it used on something larger. Looking forward, I have a couple things here could use some work too.

---------- Post added at 03:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:29 PM ----------

I'll try to find a couple hours after everyone's asleep to gently work my file/stones on the new front sight post to fit the dovetail on the barrel. The post comes slightly too long at the base.

You mean the base?

[ssgross]

You mean the base?

yes. the bottom of the front sight base...that slides into the dovetail milled into the barrel. the base of the front sight base? I guess the post would actually be the blade...so not the base of the post about 27 thous. too long
I bought the American blue from rustblue.com.

[browningautorifle]

27 thous. too long

Just enough to carefully f#ck up if you're one pass too many...on the stone.

[ssgross]

well. that was easy! Laying my stone across the edge of the base and the top corner showed that the angle is the same. the stone made full contact with the angled edge. So, I put a piece of aluminum tape across the top of the sight.I made about 6 passes at a time, check progress and renew the tape to protect the top. It took about 2 dozen strokes with the file, very light pressure, to get it to where the corner would just start in the dovetail. I then switched to my triangular stone (the one I use for trigger jobs) to just smooth it out. Took about half a dozen passes.
I'd say it's perfect! It pushes in halfway with firm finger pressure, and then a couple of very light light taps with brass drift (no hammer) gets it the rest of the way.
So much for waiting for the weekend. I'll tin the base and hopefully finish the job this weekend.

[browningautorifle]

So much for waiting for the weekend.

I know...