Well now i don't know what I may have said to have much Bearing upon my "Star" rating. I have tried to point out the difference betwen a "Torch Job" which is done by applying the tiop of an accetylene torch in a stationary position to a piece of steel until it changes to the desired color, & artificically "Painted ON" colors which are applied to steel warmed to about 160°F. The first is an abomination & Certainly Detrimental to the gun. The 2nd is Non-Damaging. I have advocated neither, simply tried to popint out their differences. Neither will ever provide the beauty of a true "Color Case Hardened" job.
I have also tried my humble best to point out that "ANYTIME" you put a piece of steel in a furnace & heat it to above its critical temperature, there is "RISK" involved. If anyone wants to "Take That Risk" for the sake of a prettier gun, then its thgeir choice, their gun & their money. I just think anyone contemplating having it done needs to be aware there are risks involved.
They also need to be made aware that those beautiful colors can be produced by heating to "Below" the steels critical Temp, but doing so will draw all the hardness from the original treatment (Which incidentally is still there, all that has been lost over the years is the color) & will put none of it back. A quench from below the critical temp does not add hardness, this comes about only from the molecular change of the steel as it exceeds that Critical Temp. This molecular change is also the cause for the risk of warpage etc.
Anyone having "Real Facts" which refute anything I have said on this matter, "Say ON" I am perfectly willing to listen to "Facts".
As to my number of Stars I'm sorta like the Wise Ol Owl, I just don't really give a Hoot.
Me I have some guns with a good amount of what I believe to be original colors, & others with virtually none left. None of them are going into a furnace. Even if I were to acquire one which had been totally polished up it still wouldn't go into a furnace, they'll age real quick if you just sorta let them be.
