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July 31, 2017
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Did winchester apply any kind of coating to there case hardened deluxe 86 firearms after the case hardening procedure ? I’ve heard that they applied some type of lacquer to protect the finish.
regards Gerald
May 2, 2009
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Gerald,
Yes they did. I’m sure of what it was but its been seen on different models and where it still intact the case colors are very bright.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
December 1, 2012
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Here are 2 posts: one says no the other says yes. Have never seen a definitive source stating a coating was applied. On the other hand, there would be no reason for an historical source saying it wasn’t applied.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
December 1, 2012
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Also, Mike Hunter has an article on metal finishes done by Winchester in the FALL 2014 issue but I am unable to access past issues now for some reason.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
March 21, 2016
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Yes, you can still see signs of it on some very well-kept 86s.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 2, 2009
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Kevin is right. In fact, on some high condition cased guns, it’s very easy to see. It was a product similar to orange shellac varnish. After time, this created the slight smoky tint we often see on brilliant case color.
May 2, 2009
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Here is one of mine that shows the affects of the lacquer or varnish protecting the colors.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
December 1, 2012
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1873man said
Here is one of mine that shows the affects of the lacquer or varnish protecting the colors.Bob
There ought to be a better way to preserve the case coloring without clouding over it. Is that a factory applied coating, Bob, or as they say now, “after market”.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
May 2, 2009
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That is factory coated. I’ve seen that on many case colored guns now and it all has the same look to it. Here is another and if you look right behind the loading gate you can see where the coating starts
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
July 31, 2017
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Thanks for the info. I have a couple deluxe 86s in very high condition that appear to have some type of protective finish on them and then I have a 76 deluxe express in extremely high condition that appears to have no protective coating. Thus I am confused.
Regards Gerald
May 2, 2009
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Gerald,
One reason I can think of is we don’t know if it was applied to all guns another reason could be if it can be removed with the wrong cleaners.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
May 23, 2009
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1873man said
Gerald,One reason I can think of is we don’t know if it was applied to all guns another reason could be if it can be removed with the wrong cleaners.
Bob
I would also imagine given much use and wear and exposure to the elements the finish would deteriorate over time exposing the bare metal finish and thus cause the case coloring to be removed.
Not everybody kept there Winchester’s stored in the Closet!
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
March 21, 2016
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1873man said
That is factory coated. I’ve seen that on many case colored guns now and it all has the same look to it. Here is another and if you look right behind the loading gate you can see where the coating startsBob
Good looking 73 receiver!!!!
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
December 1, 2012
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Would that lacquer coating account for traces of case coloring remaining on the edges of protected areas when the rest of the receiver has no cc left?
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
May 2, 2009
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No, when case color wears and ages and finailly looses its color you are left with a silvery finish that resembles nickel plating. When the silvery finish comes off it flakes. Its just in the protected areas is the last places it remains.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
May 2, 2009
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Kevin,
That gun has the most case of any gun in my collection. The gun is kind of rare, the other side has a monogram.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
December 1, 2012
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1873man said
No, when case color wears and ages and finailly looses its color you are left with a silvery finish that resembles nickel plating. When the silvery finish comes off it flakes. Its just in the protected areas is the last places it remains.Bob
Thanks, Bob. Not a day goes by the we don’t learn a new tidbit here on the WACA forums.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
