TwiceBarrel, I noticed the same thing about the colors on my Hunter Arms Fulton, and many other Fulton's I've seen. I don't know if it's the steel or the process they used, but their colors seem to hold up much better than Hunter Arms L. C. Smith guns in the same overall condition. They do look a bit like cyanide colors so I wonder if they used a bone charcoal pack method with cyanide added. I've read that this works but is seldom used because of the risk.
Craigd, my T/C flintlock never had any protective coating on the lock. They do use investment cast parts and the level of polish is not super high. Whatever the reason, the colors are attractive and exceptionally durable.
