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Blueing is an oxide finish, similar to ferrous oxide (rust), except that it actually protects the metal instead of eating at it. That is why bluing rusts so easy, as the chemical conversion to ferrous oxide happens fast when moisture is present.
Parkerizing is a phosphate coating that protects the metal by way of absorbing oil. Dry parkerizing isn't much more rust-resistant than blueing, but once you've coated the surface with oil and allowed it to set in the rust resistance is many times better.
Black parkerizing (manganeze phosphate) and simple matte blueing looks very similar. Colt's M1991A1 was offered in a black parkerized finish at first, then a few years into manufacture they switched to matte blue without the majority of the buying public even noticing.
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D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1
Parkerizing is a phosphate coating that protects the metal by way of absorbing oil. Dry parkerizing isn't much more rust-resistant than blueing, but once you've coated the surface with oil and allowed it to set in the rust resistance is many times better.
Black parkerizing (manganeze phosphate) and simple matte blueing looks very similar. Colt's M1991A1 was offered in a black parkerized finish at first, then a few years into manufacture they switched to matte blue without the majority of the buying public even noticing.
------------------
D. Kamm
USGI M1911/M1911A1 Pistols Website
http://www.geocities.com/M1911_M1911A1
