Re-bluing an old gun

[Rarms]

I have an old Winchester 1894 that I want to re-blu.

Have considered doing it myself, anyone out there done a whole gun themselves? What did you use? How hard was it?

Alternatively, anyone recommend a company/person that could do it for me? I can break it down and post so fairly easy in that respect, just looking for names and prices at the moment.

Thanks in advance.

[Sim G]

Do it yourself! I've used Birchwood Casey before and as I type this, I've just oiled some parts from a Navy revolver that I've used Phillips cold blue for the first time!

[Dark Skies]

I did an entire Mosin Nagant M44 using G96 Gun blue. It's all in the preparation - I used a quality fine iron wool, G96 Gun degreaser, and plenty of rubber gloves to make sure I didn't transfer and grease to the surface. It came out extremely well - compared to another unissued Mosin M44 I have you can't really tell the difference other than the shade is a little lighter. Still in the same shape as it was five years ago.

[Rockhopper]

In my (admittedly limited) experience you'll never match a professional re blue by using one of the home methods. It might look good initially but it's not very hard wearing.

[WelshShooter]

You can do it at home and it will look fairly good but you may not get a good hard wearing finish compared to hot blueing. I've been needing to get some cold blue for doing the bolt on my Remington as the handle is a little worn.

[Les]

I have an old Winchester 1894 that I want to re-blu.
Have considered doing it myself, anyone out there done a whole gun themselves? What did you use? How hard was it?
Alternatively, anyone recommend a company/person that could do it for me? I can break it down and post so fairly easy in that respect, just looking for names and prices at the moment.
Thanks in advance.

If your Winchester 1894 is an original model, you will probably destroy most of it's value by rebluing it. If it's a copy, then most DIY kits will give a good initial result, providing you put the work in on the preparation.