Blackening Post 64 Winchester Receivers

A Quick History of the Post ’64 Winchester Model 94 Receiver

During the early 1960’s, the Winchester Model 94 was redesigned to accommodate a more economical method of production. The re-engineered receivers were machined from a graphitic steel casting. This new material would not accept the normal Du-Lite Oxiblak bluing process, used by Winchester since 1940, without discoloration. The color could vary from copper to plum red, depending upon the individual piece. The chart below shows dates and serial numbers for the three different blackening processes used by Winchester on these receivers between 1964 and 1981.

(Win Blued receivers were iron plated and blackened with Du-Lite’s Oxiblak.)

When refinishing receivers which have been iron or black chrome plated, the gunsmith, when buffing these receivers, often removes the thin iron or chrome plated coating exposing the raw castings. Normal blackening processes cannot be used on these receivers.

In 1981, with the purchase of Winchester by USRACO, receivers were switched over to 4144 steel and the angle ejection port design was used. These receivers will polish and reblue normally.

Du-Lite’s Process for Blackening Post ’64 Receivers

Du-Lite has developed a process that will blacken these receivers. Once blackened, these receivers will not turn red or discolor.

The Black Oxide Process for Winchester Post ’64 Receiver

1. Du-Lite #45 Cleaner, (12 oz/gal.) 150°-160° temp. for 10 min.
2. Warm water rinse – 150° temp.
3. 50/50 HCL acid (muriatic acid) w/water, room temp. for 2-3 min.
4. Cold water rinse.
5. Aldak #30, (3-4 lbs/gal.), 220°-230° temp. for 20 min.
6. Cold water rinse.
7. Du-Lite 3-0 Bath (4½-5 lbs/gal), 240°-250° temp. for 20-30 min.
8. Cold water rinse.
9. Du-Lite Kwikseal or Kwikseal A, straight, room temp., 1 min.

This chemical process can also be used to blacken M-1 Garand & M-14 gas ports, cast or malleable iron, nickel alloy gun receivers and MIM (Metal Injected Molding) parts.