Mrs. Stewart's Bluing was created in 1883.

Bluing, as it relates to firearms or metal in general, is a permanent surface treatment under ideal conditions. Poorly maintained bluing will fade or flake off. Bluing is a "form of rust", an oxide layer on the outside of the metal. You can remove it using various abrasives, but yes it is permanent.

There are several reasons bluing will not take on a gun. One is it stainless steel. Nope. Two is the bluing solution correct. If so, is the temperature correct, Brownells has bluing info for their solutions., follow these almost perfect. Also to be blued, it must be alloy steel. not pot metal, not cast, just steel. Don't get any brass, copper, zinc or lead in the bluing solution.

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To make Mrs. Stewart's Bluing at home, you will need basic ingredients such as water, laundry bluing agent, and a container for mixing and storing the solution. However, it is recommended to purchase Mrs. Stewart's Bluing directly from the manufacturer to ensure the best results and avoid any potential safety hazards.

Gun Bluing is a chemical that is brushed or rubbed on the metal of the gun. It acts like a die. It can be purchased at most gun stores. The metal has to be stripped and cleaned first then the bluing is applied in even layers to make it darker.