Rust bluing: trouble with lockplate and hammer

[FatJackDurham]

I am rust bluing a 1888 model 1884 trapdoor Springfield that someone previously had sanded to bare metal for some reason.

It went well with the two barrel bands and butt stock plate and screws, giving a pitch black, almost wrought iron finish after just three. Cycles.

However, I have moved on to the forearm cap, the lockplate and the hammer. The forearm cap is rusting normally, but the lockplate part under where the hammer was, and the hammer itself are resisting rust. I thought it was not degreased properly, so I started over, but to the same result.

Where these parts hardened originally and do they rust slower, do you think?

[Wayne Miller]

Exactly. They were originally color case hardened, and much harder than the other steel in the rifle.

[Sixgun]

Jack,
Check your P.M.------Sixgun