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How to tell whether it's blued vs. painted

"Firearm Blueing & Browning"
by R. H. Angier
angier_firearmbluing

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(affil link)

Quickstart:
"Bluing", also called "black oxiding" is a process where parts are immersed in a very hot (230+ °F) solution, heavy in caustic soda and nitrates and/or nitrites to build a stable black rust on them. If the parts are rather matte to start with, they'll usually look black; if the parts are highly polished, they usually come out with a jeweled navy blue look.
Although bluing is not very corrosion resistant except when waxed or oiled, it is attractive, and the coating is very very thin, almost never affecting any clearances or tolerances.

Q. I'm restoring an antique typewriter. Some of the parts have a black matte finish. How can I tell whether they are blued or just painted?

Alex T.
Hobbyist - Hartford, CT
September 15, 2025

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