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How to alter contents of rust bluing solutions for different colors?

2004

I have recently read the book Firearm Blueing and Browning [on eBay , Amazon, AbeBooks affil links] , which includes numerous methods which mainly fall under the category of slow or cold rust bluing. I was overwhelmed by the abundance of ingredients one could use to accomplish the end result of bluing.

But what does differ is the characteristics of the final product, particularly color tones- blues, matte black, brown-blacks, green-blacks. I am an analytical type, and I am trying to figure out how to alter the components of the solutions to provide a differing color in the end result.

I am at a loss in finding the answer on the internet, and all the books I've seen give a extremely superficial explanation of the process. I realize that since the publishing of this book, caustic salt bluing was invented, and most people use this method, so I assume that this is why I can't find any solution to my problem.

Thanks for any help!

Brian Dill
gunsmithing - Johnson City, Tennessee, United States