Color case hardening…and the new Ruger Mk IV

Color case hardening (a process of using bone on metal under extreme heat to produce a dazzling exotic finish) was pretty much a lost art until Turnbull Manufacturing brought it back to life a few years ago.  Turnbull specializes in firearms restoration and manufacturing limited runs of new guns with their unique finish.  I bought one such limited run firearm about 10 years ago…it was a Smith and Wesson resurrection of their awesome Model 1917 in .45 ACP…with the frame getting the Turnbull treatment.

The 1917 .45 ACP revolver is an amazing story in itself.  The US had already switched to the 1911 .45 auto, but when World War I broke out, we didn’t have enough of the new automatics to go around.   Our military already knew that the new .45 ACP cartridge was the way to go, so they convinced both Colt and Smith & Wesson to chamber their large frame double action revolvers in that cartridge.   I used to own a 1917 Colt, but I foolishly sold it when the prices were still in the “yeah, that seems okay” range (now they are stratospheric).

Anyway, I received an email last night that Turnbull is offering a limited run of the Ruger Mk IV .22 automatic pistol with their signature color case hardened finish…

I think I’m going to (pardon the pun) pull the trigger on one if I can find a dealer to order one for me, and if it is still legal to own one here in the Peoples’ Republik of Kalifornia.   (We’ve got some really nutty gun laws in this state.   You have to take the good with the bad, I suppose.   We have great weather, great roads, and great riding, but on this gun thing, the inmates have taken over the asylum.)   Back to the main attraction for a minute…I own a Mk I Ruger .22 auto.   It is accurate and it is a lot of fun, so I know the gun will be good.    With that Turnbull treatment, a Mk IV Ruger is going to be awesome.   I’ll keep you posted on what I find out about buying one here in California.