Hamilton 992B Black hands process

July 01, 2019, 07:15

Jeff Ainsworth

Does any one know how hamilton achieved the black finish on 992B hands most of us know how blue hands were achieved but I am not really sure how the black was aceived

July 01, 2019, 17:37

Harv Holcomb

Just looked at my 1946 992B Hamilton. The hands are black Porcelain not blued.

July 03, 2019, 15:40

Jeff Ainsworth

Thanks Harry

July 03, 2019, 15:42

Jeff Ainsworth

Thanks Harv (phone can't spell)

July 03, 2019, 16:04

Lindell V. Riddle

Jeff,

If I recall correctly, the metal starts out as black and then is heated to achieve other colors. But perhaps Harv knows more about the black color and method for achieving and maintaining same. Maybe that is best done with chemicals as in gun bluing.

Here are the different temperatures (in degrees fahrenheit) of "quenching" process which is a sudden immersion in oil, for the "bluing" process for watch hands and the effect on final color.

These are the most common...

525˚ Purple / Illinois "Plum"

550˚ Full Blue

575˚ Medium Blue

600˚ Pale Blue

IHC Member Harold Visser literally invented what he referred to as a "bluing contraption" and lists an almost infinite pallet of colors.

https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/...643949277#4643949277

It really is a fascinating subject.

Lindell

July 04, 2019, 05:13

Jeff Ainsworth

I think harv got it right looks as if a different process to blueing has a different depth of colour to blueing though not sure really is interesting to how it was achieved though

July 09, 2019, 20:28

Robert D. Miller

In modern guns, the blue is actually black. It’s achieved by immersing the polished metal in a hot (295F) caustic solution for 10 minutes or so.
I would not be surprised if this was the method used. I have also seen black chrome plating before.