Black oxide for refinishing?

[jontheturboguy]

Ive seen the black oxide treatment on tool steel, and it looks quite nice.

I have an old Mauser Im bringing back from the grave, and I'd like to know if having the barrel and other parts black oxide dipped would hurt them.

Also,would having the black oxide coating INSIDE the barrel harm the rifle?

Last but not least, who can check the head space on this 8mm Mauser to let me know she's aok to shoot?

 

[fireball168]

The home black oxide treatments are likely going to disappoint - unless you've got access to a production setup I'd have to pass.

Don't coat the inside of the barrel and chamber, either make or buy some bore plugs from Brownells.

For a little bit of nothing KRC Refinishing in Avon will parkerize it.

You can check headspace yourself - likely cheaper than having someone do it for you - and you get a shiny tool for your box to boot.

Generally, Mausers are on the "tight" side as compared to other battle rifles of the era. Buy a No Go gauge, pop the extractor off - drop it in the chamber and see if the bolt will close using two fingertips on the knob, no more pressure than that. If it does, start looking for a barrel.

MidwayUSA - Forster Headspace No-Go Gage 8x57mm Mauser (8mm Mauser)

 

[jontheturboguy]

This is an industrial company that does large stamping dies and parts.

I believe I may have called that company in avon, and they wanted more than I was willing to fork out.