UBB.threads Forums General Interest Restoration, Conservation, and Maintenance Forum re-blueing HJ scabbard

Hi guys,

Here is something I really wanted to share with you guys. Its also something any of you can do who has the capability to hold a piece of sandpaper and open a bottle top.
I had this HJ dagger which was a little rough. The scabbard had no paint not indication of it. The paint or blueing was 100% gone, however it was not really rusty, other than some like mist over it.
I decided to re-blue the scab and discussed this with Shawn...dagger addict....
He sent me some chemicals for a christmas present to try...great guy.
Its for blueing guns and is called perma blue by Birchwood casey. We don't have alot of guns in the Netherlands...so europeans I would suggest you contact Shawn for this stuff. Anyway tried it out as stated on the back of the bottle and WOW...great black blueing on the scab..
The only thing you do is remove ALL rust...bare metal needs to show everywhere. Then use the blueing chemicals. The chemicals only make the metal black so the finish all depends on how smooth you get the scabbard sanded down. Use polishing paper at first and remove all rust. Then using some coarser grain sandpaper create the light crossgraining you see on the original anodised scabs. Easy as opening a beer can..
here some pics to proove my point.
Before:



After:




GOOD luck,
Peter

Wow Peter, looks much better. Did you put any clear coat of lacquer on it? Does it have a sulpher smell to it? I've heard others say the "cold" chemical bluing has an oder to it. At any rate, in this case, you had nothing to loose. I don't think it would look this good if there was any denting, or deep corrosion present before you started, so this restoration probably won't be possible with most scabbards. You were also lucky the leather looks like it survived in very good condition....

IMO, it looks a lot better, and looks period.

Thanks! John

Great job!

I am impressed!

Thanks for sharing it.

Best greetings,

Herman

Very nice job. I wonder if the scabbord was blued orginally.