What can anybody tell me about the black finish on the Canadian Centennial or the Mod. 94 Classic? It appears to me be more of a finish than a treatment. Thanks for your help with my inquiry.

Stinger

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It does not look like anyone is going to comment so I will try.

On early post 64 models 94 the metal in the receivers were made of such low grade iron the it would not take blue. So another method was used - paint. A special paint was applied that gave a shiney black appearence. That type finish was used for about five years until Winchester begin changing over to carbon steel receivers again. All 94s made in the mid 60s have the paint as well as some commemorative guns of later dates.

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The older Model 94 receivers were an alloy. To get them to take blue they were iron plated first, much the same as we would chrome plate now. But even that didn't hold up very well.
I've tried various bluing types on them. Most will cover just for looks but won't take handling. Now I just let them age gracefully as they will.

I have also been told the finish on the receiver is black chrome. I wonder if the finish starts to come off if the receiver could be case hardened. If it the wrong kind of alloy it probably would not stand up to the case hardening. I don't have to concern my self with it at this point, the gun looks as if it as almost new. I think another option might be to have the receiver refinished by CCR refinishing in Tennessee. He does some Cera-Hide finishes which are very nice and very durable. Thanks for your help with my question.

Stinger

I've got a couple of 70's era 94's that have the funky iron plated receivers. If they weren't such great shooters I'd get rid of them. Nice that you don't have to worry about the finish out in the field though. . .

LET-CA;

Today I spoke with a gunsmith and he gave me more details. According to him the receivers were a powdered metal alloy. Attempts at bluing them did not yield good results, the finish is sprayed on and baked. He told me it is durable. I inquired about case hardening the receiver if the black finihs came off and he advised the case hardening would not come out as a typical receiver, the color would be more of a gray finish. I won't worry about the finish, just take care of it as it were blued. The gun looks to be about 95% so I should be okay for some time. Thanks very much for your response.

Stinger

I know this is an old thread. I have a Canadian 67ive had for years. The finish is black chrome. Mine looks almost new after years of use. Its my favorite 94. All94s are good lol.:)

I have a parts gun with Canadian Centennial barrel, forend with cap and but stock with curved but plate. The Centennial parts are black chrome. The barrel is the typical blue-black. The chrome parts have worn well on my rifle too.
My receiver is a dull grey with no finish, a pretty sorry sight. I have considered using Brownells baking lacquer on it but have never been motivated enough to do it. I bought new wood for the rifle and have not finished the wood either. The rifle shoots very well with its Lyman No, 2 tang sight and I prefer not to change anything at the moment.

William, dont you just love the 20in octaganol and cresent butt setup?

The post '64 Win94s were a scintered steel. They won't take a normal blue. Various methods have been used to refinish them. Nickel plating as well as hard chrome works like a champ. If you want a hot blue, you have to have the receiver iron plated. I've heard that some receivers were iron plated at the factory, but I haven't seen an example.
Color case hardening will work just fine; however, one must choose the shop that does it with extreme care. The receiver sides on the 94 are very thin (relatively speaking) and are easily warped. As an example, this 1978 Receiver took to color case hardening using the Bone & Charcoal like a champ.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/sass93/IMG_0995.jpg

The Canadian Centennial can be refinished: This one was redone, blued with a Trapper barrel:
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/sass93/37574.jpg

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Very nice looking gun with an excellent finish on the stock. someone did a really nice job on that. Looks classier than any new Winchester. Thanks for sending the image.