Need advice on bluing options for filled in scope mount holes.

[Peter S]

If I remember correctly, a stone would be a better option. Basically you file it down as close as possible to flat without hitting the receiver, then use a fine stone to finish it? At least look into that method. Then just touch it up with something like rust blue.

I have done at least 6 patch jobs like this for various friends and what mrfarb said is the best way to do this. File it close to where it needs to be and finish it off with a fine stone. The blueing match will be difficult due to the dis-similar metals...welding rod vs receiver material.

This is an SS rework that I did for Craig Brown many years ago. It had 2 peep sight holes that were filled and contoured to the receiver. Even in this picture you can subtly see where the holes were. I never saw it after bluing had been applied.

 

[heavy_mech]

What was most interesting to me (and also the reason why I mention this here), he said when something is welded and then blueing should be applied the steel used for welding needs to be of similar material as the rifle itself. Modern welding wire otherwise will result in completely different colors when being blued. His personal experience was that at least for WWI Austrian guns the wire used to bind bouquets would result in identical blueing color.

I agree. My thoughts are it doesn't seem to need to be the exact steel but rather the alloying elements or alloying content are similar. This usually yields good results. While I'm not piling on or trying to ratf*ck your project I agree the welds (and dressing) needs to be better.

 

[heavy_mech]

I have done at least 6 patch jobs like this for various friends and what mrfarb said is the best way to do this. File it close to where it needs to be and finish it off with a fine stone. The blueing match will be difficult due to the dis-similar metals...welding rod vs receiver material.

This is an SS rework that I did for Craig Brown many years ago. It had 2 peep sight holes that were filled and contoured to the receiver. Even in this picture you can subtly see where the holes were. I never saw it after bluing had been applied.

View attachment 302927

Top work Peter! This looks very much like the repairs on demil barrels that were drilled. I'd love to see how it came out in the end.

 

[heavy_mech]

I'm remembering when Bruce sent his broken part to the micro welder. That repair was a work of art.

 

[Der wolf35]

I have done at least 6 patch jobs like this for various friends and what mrfarb said is the best way to do this. File it close to where it needs to be and finish it off with a fine stone. The blueing match will be difficult due to the dis-similar metals...welding rod vs receiver material.

This is an SS rework that I did for Craig Brown many years ago. It had 2 peep sight holes that were filled and contoured to the receiver. Even in this picture you can subtly see where the holes were. I never saw it after bluing had been applied.

View attachment 302927

That looks amazing! I will get a stone that would be appropriate for this or just get a whole set since I'll be doing projects like these a lot in the future. A friend of mine knows someone that is really good a bluing old firearms and can make them look brand new, I will get in contact with him and explain my situation. Thanks for the advice, I don't know what I would have been able to get done in the past if I didn't get help from everyone here.