Pretty much every manufacturer of break action shotguns does or has made case hardened or case colored shotguns.

 

Probably none or very few. The "case hardening" that you see on newer guns today is actually a chemical treatment to the metal that develops colors that resemble real case hardening, but it's not the real thing.

 

Most are chemically treated. CSMC case hardens. Don't know if all there guns are charcoal case harden. The RBL was advertised as charcoal case hardened

 

Probably none or very few. The "case hardening" that you see on newer guns today is actually a chemical treatment to the metal that develops colors that resemble real case hardening, but it's not the real thing.

Incorrect as a blanket statement.

Yes, there are manufacturers that do case coloring with chemicals, but there are still many that do legitimate charcoal case hardening. Krieghoff, Perazzi, Beretta, Caesar Guerini among them. It's primarily only the cheaper turkish and italian break actions that are chemically colored. In fact in the US it's much EASIER to do real charcoal case hardening, as many of the chemicals used to case color are outlawed in the US (cyanide being what was used to case color the old Perazzis from the 70s).

 

If you are looking at a case colored gun and the price is right in the ball park with their other blued and silver guns, the odds are about 100% it is a chemical color.

 

My Silver Pigeon V is chemically cased as well as my friend's Caesar Guerini.

 

This Beretta certainly isn't chemically colored:

Neither is this one:

If you are looking at a case colored gun and the price is right in the ball park with their other blued and silver guns, the odds are about 100% it is a chemical color.

Generally speaking this is accurate.

There is also a process known as flame case hardening, which is done with an oxy acetylene torch. This is generally done as a restorative effort, generally by shade tree gunsmiths, I'm not aware of anyone doing this as a factory finish.

I guess it would pay to contact the manufacturer/importer/dealer and inquire as to the process actually used, since some of them are inappropriately using the terminology interchangeably and it may vary even within a manufacturer.

 

Today, it is all about the color. See also https://steelfxpatinas.com/color-case-h ... ect-steel/ .

There is zero reason to actually case harden a modern receiver-- they are more than hard enough. It isn't functional, just cosmetic.

 

My Silver Pigeon V, which I purchased new, came with instructions on how to protect the chemical "case colors". The colors are over sprayed with a lacquer like finish that should never have solvents applied to it. At least that's what was in the Beretta literature. I'm sure that I still have that literature somewhere.

 

Pretty much every manufacturer of break action shotguns does or has made case hardened or case colored shotguns.

Case hardened and case colored are NOT the same..........

 

Dickinson.

 

I have a couple of friends with case hardened coloring and neither one stood the test of time.

 

Pretty much every manufacturer of break action shotguns does or has made case hardened or case colored shotguns.

Case hardened and case colored are NOT the same..........

I'm well aware of that, that's why I stated the processes separately. Many people don't know the difference, or even know there IS a difference, and assume case colored MEANS case hardened. Didn't know the OPs level of knowledge or desire.

 

My Silver Pigeon V, which I purchased new, came with instructions on how to protect the chemical "case colors". The colors are over sprayed with a lacquer like finish that should never have solvents applied to it. At least that's what was in the Beretta literature. I'm sure that I still have that literature somewhere.

Even charcoal case hardened guns are coated with lacquer to protect the colors. They are starting to use clear Cerakote instead, much more durable and much better protection.

In reality, although the process strengthens the metal, the resultant colors are fairly fragile, and will wear away through use and sun exposure.

 

I own a Rizzini Omnium Round 28 gauge with 28" barrels. I bought it from Cabela's Gun Library. It is case hardened, modestly engraved, possesses good lumber, and handles like a magic wand. I take it grouse hunting every year. The price was reasonable. What other manufacturers offer case hardened shotguns?

Today, it is all about the color. See also https://steelfxpatinas.com/color-case-h ... ect-steel/ .

There is zero reason to actually case harden a modern receiver-- they are more than hard enough. It isn't functional, just cosmetic.

Depends. Not all case coloring is created equal. Some can approach the appearance of real case hardening, some looks like absolute garbage. The Winchester 94s in the link you posted look like absolute garbage. Then again, not all case hardening is created equal either...

Case coloring is the spiritual equivalent of cold blue for metal or rattle can clearcoat for wood. Sure, it can be made to look pretty decent, but it is a poor and generally half assed substitute for the real deal.

 

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Look at the roots of case-hardening...…..

In antiquity, case-hardening had to be used to ensure the metals used at the time could withstand the pressures of the ammunition used at that time.

Shortly afterward, the resultant colors became a selling feature.

Today, MUCH better/harder modern steels are used which, when hardened, didn't display the same coloring that used to occur, so most manufacturers did some things that made their product marketable.

They polished the hardened metal to a bright or satin (aka: French Grey) and/or colored the steel blue/black by various methods.

IMO, modern guns that receiver true case-hardening colors are usually applied to the upper end of the various maker's product lines (some makers make only high-end products).

Generally, since manufacturers that market products in the US must follow US federal Law:
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/media-r ... dvertising

The federal Law demands truth in advertising, so anyone seeking a particular product (like true case-hardening) should determine that the correct terms are used to describe the finish.

(Some makers use ambiguous terms in product description that can be interpreted differently, but still pass the legal test)

IOW, caveat emptor...……

.

 

The specifications call out the finish as "Case colored with Invisalloy™ protective finish." It is a beautiful shotgun . . . which is the general idea.

 

CSMC Revelation.

 

The federal Law demands truth in advertising, so anyone seeking a particular product (like true case-hardening) should determine that the correct terms are used to describe the finish.

(Some makers use ambiguous terms in product description that can be interpreted differently, but still pass the legal test)

IOW, caveat emptor...……

In CZ's advertising and descriptions of their guns with such receiver coloration, they say "19th century color case-hardening" (Hammer Coach), and "color case-hardened finish" (Sharp-Tail). In the specifications list it says under receiver finish, "Color case-hardened". Should this be interpreted as a true case-hardened treatment?
Edit:
When I looked deeper into information regarding their manufacturing methods, I found this:Metallurgical operations involved in manufacturing CZ firearms include heat treatment and surface finishing. Automated and computer-controlled equipment is used for hardening, tempering, refining, carburizing, and nitriding the firearms.... It would appear that at least CZ does an actual case-hardening process in the manufacture of their firearms with such a case-color finish.

 

In CZ's advertising and descriptions of their guns with such receiver coloration, they say "19th century color case-hardening" (Hammer Coach), and "color case-hardened finish" (Sharp-Tail).
In the specifications list it says under receiver finish, "Color case-hardened".

Should this be interpreted as a true case-hardened treatment?

IMO, "19th Century color case hardening" is most likely a true description; but the word "finish" describing their "color case-hardened finish" suggests that it's a disclaimer, and I suspect that it's not true CCH.

My opinion, however, is worth exactly how much you paid for it..... :mrgreen:

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