What type of finish on Win. 94?

[BSA1]

I need help trying to identify what type of finish is on my Winchester 94 30-30, serial # 3445xxx. Barrel is marked;

WINCHESTER MODEL 94 30-30 WIN.
MADE IN NEW HAVEN , CONN. U.S.A. WINCHESTER PROOF STEEL

Barrel is blue steel. The receiver has some type of black paint type finish I discovered when I buffed out some scratches. The coating came off with a little rubbing with Semichrome paste to reveal a blue finish undernearth which with a little oil has turned dark, smooth black.

However around the top tang screw and few other places the coating has chip off and shows bright white steel which suggests the entire receiver isn’t all blue. Since the receiver is all one piece I am puzzled about the difference in appearance of the metal under the coating.

 

[rcmodel]

Any idea of the age of the gun??

Pre-1964 winchester 94's were always blue, or case hardened.

Post-1964 94's were made of "Mystery Metal" that would not accept hot bluing and were iron plated, then blued.

There were also a myriad of other finishes used on a multitude of commemorative models.

It could be yours is a post-1964 that lost it's bluing due to wear through the years and then has had baked paint finish applied over it. Which is now flaking off in places.

rc

 

[boommer]

Nickel steel receiver.

 

[rcmodel]

Pre-64's were forged nickel steel.
Post-64's were mystery metal sentered graphite steel.

rc

 

[BSA1]

What is nickel steel and what is the "bluing" on the receiver? At least the "bluing" seems permanent.

 

[adelbridge]

Your serial number dates to 1971. The bluing probably wore off the metal tang which is pretty common because it is part of the grip. take the wood off and hit it with some brake cleaner to get the paint to come off. You can get it reblued if you want , wont hurt the value of a 71.

 

[DPris]

Rebluing a '71 receiver will not be simple.
Denis