Cerakoting a Mannlicher-Schoenauer mod. 1950 (not me, someone in Germany)

[Pine Marten]

Hello everyone.

I admit to not really knowing what Cerakote was apart from the fact that the name suggests it's a ceramic coating. It's just something I read in SD thread titles that I don't tend to read. However I came across this article (in German, but most browsers now have built in translators for those who aren't deutschsprachig) where the authors have brought back to life a 1950 Mannlicher-Schoenauer with Cerakote after it started rusting at every outing, the original blacking having worn off. I'm actually quite impressed with the results and there are good step by step photos of the process.

Is that an appalling act of vandalism or keeping a classic alive?

Oh, the authors cheated a bit by quietly tarting up the stock in-between the before and after photos, but fair enough!

 

[McKenzie]

Photos?

 

[Pine Marten]

Photos?

In the article.

 

[Pine Marten]

OK, OK, I'll make it easier for you... Bl**dy Gen Z stalkers who can't even be bothered to click on a hyperlink, I don't know, tchoh!

Above, the original rusty gun.

Totally dismantled and cleaned in an acetone bath apparently.

Parts all sandblasted down to original steel.

Sprayed with Cerakote and baked or whatever they do.

The finished rifle after reassembly and cheeky treatment of the stock.

All for EURO250 it seems.

 

[sh1kar]

Wonder why they didn't just reblack it

 

[Bavarianbrit]

That's cheap for that amount of work in Germany as they do get paid better/so charge more than in the UK.

 

[McKenzie]

In the article.

The hyperlink wasn’t visible to me earlier. Thank you.

 

[Klenchblaize]

The shot blasting works well for the Cerakoting process as it provides a good surface ‘key’. If he had gone for traditional bluing/backing the metalwork would need to be polished after blasting which is time-consuming and hard work.

K

 

[Pine Marten]

Wonder why they didn't just reblack it

According to the article because they wanted a finish that was totally impermeable to weather and looked great. Also just a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. I think it looks good, what do you think? Suspect it was also perhaps cheaper. Last time I had shotgun barrels reblacked it took a year, cost several hundred pounds and the result was actually not great.

 

[sh1kar]

According to the article because they wanted a finish that was totally impermeable to weather and looked great. Also just a spirit of curiosity and experimentation. I think it looks good, what do you think? Suspect it was also perhaps cheaper. Last time I had shotgun barrels reblacked it took a year, cost several hundred pounds and the result was actually not great.

For sure it looks OK but I like blacking. Next time go to Bill Blacker for your barrels Yes that is his name!

 

[Heym SR20]

I really don’t get this view that blued rifles are totally ruined by the mere hint of a little bit of rain.

I have always enjoyed wildfowling on the foreshore. So did my father. Both our wildfowling side by sides still have good bluing - how. Wipe them over with a good oil that sticks. When you come off the marsh wipe them dry. If they are salty wipe them with towel soaked in clean water, then dry. And then give a good clean when you get home.

Ceracote may be fine on military / police rifles. But for me it is totally wrong for a fine gun. And when it gets chipped - which it does it looks bloody horrible.

Cleaning a gun is part of using it. It takes but a moment. Its about the same as making sure your dog is warm, dry, fed and not injured after a day in the field.

 

[Pine Marten]

I really don’t get this view that blued rifles are totally ruined by the mere hint of a little bit of rain.

(...)

Ceracote may be fine on military / police rifles. But for me it is totally wrong for a fine gun. And when it gets chipped - which it does it looks bloody horrible.

Agreed, but in this case it seemed the blacking was so worn that it wasn't doing it's job anymore. That said I didn't know Cerakote chipped. As I mentioned I've never really paid it any attention. If that's the case it doesn't seem right for a pretty rifle that's probably going to take a few knocks.

 

[375win]

I wouldn't cerakote a collectible, but in this case I agree with the author of the German article that the rifle has lost neither charm or character.
Finding someone to re-blue is getting more difficult and expensive, here and in Germany.