Rebluing a Tube Gun

[Wiking44]

What is the current thought on this? Realistically, the only thing that's being tracked is the tube itself. If I get a really good rebluing job, it really shouldn't hurt the value, should it? My MP40 is non-matching. Plus I have a parts kit and if I sell the MP40 some day I can swap the old looking parts kit for the blued.

From reading past threads on this, I think the key is getting a GOOD rebluing.

Thanks for any comments.

Edited October 25, 2023 by Wiking44

[Rekraps]

Zero impact on the value of your gun. Make it look good!

[NFA amnesty]

Actually, I think it might increase the value of the tube gun if done correctly. 

 

[Got Uzi]

The biggest thing is not having the refinisher buff it so much that it smears the lettering. I agree a nice refinish won’t hurt it but a crappy refinish could ruin it going forward 

[johnsonlmg41]

I do a lot of this work.  If your guy even owns a buffer, you need to look for another guy.  If he does shotguns and deer rifles he's the wrong choice for military firearms.  90% of the time it's best to leave the finish on any of this stuff alone, unless it's a colt thompson that is being sold at auction,  then a refinish adds value.

[Rekraps]

Such collective wisdom.... I feel like I'm with Yoda.

[Wiking44]

Thanks Gents! Appreciate your insight!

[Wiking44]

Well men, I've retired and had some time to try to do the bluing on my own. I took my #4 MP40 barrel which is what I would refer to as a 'shooter barrel' because it's pretty badly pitted but retains rifling and gave it a go. I think it came out ok. I did hot caustic bluing using Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Nitrate. This method isn't for the faint of heart as the caustic burn on my big toe will attest to!!!

First pic is barrel after I sand-blasted and polished it.

Second pic in lower right is the site assembly, barrel nut, and a spare extractor 'in the white'. (I blued a few things that day)

Third pic is after bluing.

Fourth is assembled. The barrel rest is a repro and it needed to be grinded to fit. I had a devil of a time getting the roll pins cut to the right size. They're still too short but good enough for now. The threaded cap at end was not re-blued and I don't have the retention clip on it.

I think it turned out ok. What do you think?

 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Wiking44

[Wiking44]

P.S. - NO I didn't blue in my sandals! I took pics before starting. I was in long pants, socks, and shoes - the solution dripped on my shoes and went through!

[Rekraps]

15 hours ago, Wiking44 said:

P.S. - NO I didn't blue in my sandals! I took pics before starting. I was in long pants, socks, and shoes - the solution dripped on my shoes and went through!

Whew, scared me. I know for a fact that re-finished sandals go for much less than original.

[Wiking44]

😝

Any comment on the job?

[NFA amnesty]

I think you did a good job and have great skills.  However, your finish appears a bit flat to me unless that is just the lighting and does not have that german bluing hue you find on a MP40.  I have talked with John Andrewski (JA) regarding bluing on a German MP40 and he gets close to the look of an original MP40.  I love how mine turned out after John did the refinished it.  

If it was me, would talk with JA and have him do the refinish so you get close to the original look as possible.

However it is your MP40 and if you like it, then please ignore my above comment.   

[reichstall]

Ilike the job you did. as the above mentioned the buffing will increases luster but at a price. so whatever makes you happy.

[TSMGguy]

I'd call the original finish on my bnz 41 MP40 "dark, semi-gloss hot dipped blue black". 

[Wiking44]

Thanks for the feedback gents! I hadn’t considered trying to get an original looking appearance, because I don’t really know what that is. I did not polish or buff it afterwards, I was just glad it was black and not the really worn look it had before. 
 

I have a hard time getting correct lighting for images, but it is definitely flat black in its current condition…maybe satin. I’ll look into shining it up a bit. 
 

You guys are awesome. Thanks.