doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Shiny Chromox Fox Frame.

As it was explained in another thread, my recently acquired 1924 vintage A.H. Fox AE 20 Ga had lost all its case hardened colors. Michael McIntosh mentions in his book on AH Fox that Chromox steel, presumably of Belgian origin, started being offered in the early 1910�s, for both barrels and frames (pp. 139-40). He explains that: "When the case colors disappear.....the older steel turns a soft dull gray; Chromox, on the other hand, goes as bright and silvery and shiny as a new nickel". My Fox�s frame shines as polished silver coins.

My question is that short of a case hardening process, there is any simple (chemical) proven process by which a Fox Chromox frame may obtain a dull gray or French gray?

Regards,

EJSXS

Perhaps a bead blasting process using softer plastic beads instead of glass or sand to preserve the engraving as much as possible. I would want to try this on a billet of steel with a high nickle content before I used it on a A grade Fox 20. But I think your best bet if you want a non-case colored receiver is to have the action and forend iron French Grayed.

I have a Birmingham boxlock (Gallyon) made in the 1920s and a Parker AHE made in the 20s that both have that shine. The fences on the Gallyon remind me of a chrome bumper.

I would leave it alone.

Best,

Mike

My Parker Trojan is like that. I'm getting used to it, sorta.

Pretty easy to knock the shine down. I use diluted nitric acid (browning solution), wipe on and leave for only a minute. Wash off and if it has dulled enough use baking soda to neutralize the acid. Works great and won't hurt your gun at all.

Consider yourself lucky, It looks much better (IMHO) than anything else suggested.

TwiceBarrel & Joe Wood,

thanks for your advice, I will try both on metal sheets to see how it works.

AmarilloMike,Fin2Feather, Steve,

I am following your advice for the time being. Besides, I don�t think that a shiny frame will be an hindrance hunting quail/perdiz in heavy cover.

Regards,

EJSXS