Color case hardening - real, faux, colors?

[Slackdaddy]

I have a ratty Marlin 39 and an unblued 20" octagonal barrel, was going to refurbish it and make a one of a kind with laminated stock/fore-end,, maybe even a retro brass scope.

I was wanting to give the receiver, loop and barrel a real or faux "color case hardening" look. I was wanting more golden than blue colors, like in the photo below.

1) Is it even possible to do real color case hardening to a barrel?

2) Are any of the Faux color case treatments worth a hoot?

3) does the real case color and the faux ones need a "clear coat" to protect? (I would prefer a chemical change to the metal that protects,, not a "coating")

4) are there any local shops that do this thing? (real or Faux)

 

[Doco Overboard]

You'll not want to color case harden the barrel.
In order to get colors that involves real know how, potentially dangerous chemicals, a bubbling bath, a furnace that can hold a correct specific temperature and a knowledge of the steel composition.
Somebody will be along in a minute to tell you all about it.

 

[GunBum]

1) Is it even possible to do real color case hardening to a barrel?

No. Well possible, but an incredibly bad idea. There’s a reason old rifles have color case hardened receivers and not barrels.

2) Are any of the Faux color case treatments worth a hoot?

No. They’ll wear off easily.

3) does the real case color and the faux ones need a "clear coat" to protect? (I would prefer a chemical change to the metal that protects,, not a "coating")

Real doesn’t. Fake does.

 

[Slackdaddy]

That is what I figured,, no free lunch.
I will probably send the receiver out to a professional when the time comes,, and have the barrel "Browned"

No. Well possible, but an incredibly bad idea. There’s a reason old rifles have color case hardened receivers and not barrels.


No. They’ll wear off easily.


Real doesn’t. Fake does.