Has anyone got an idea of how to deal with the Browning Citori "nitride" finish? Someone is asking me to engrave a Citori 20ga for a fellow whose "dog of a lifetime" just died. They want a picture of the dog engraved, which I don't have a problem with, but I don't know if I can engrave through the finish - but then how to re-protect the receiver. Otherwise is there a way to take off the nitride finish? Then I could just french gray the receiver. I sure would like to do something for the poor guy who just lost his best buddy. Thanks, John

John Vukos
9/7/2006 6:35:02 PM

Nitriding is normally just another type of surface hardening process that is done with amonia gas at relatively low temperatures. It only works on certain steel alloys, but it is very cost effective in making a very hard surface. Combustion engine cylinder walls are most often nitrided.

Therefore a nitrided surface can be handled as with any other type of surface hardening. The surface will have to be sanded or honed down through the nitride layer in order to cut with normal gravers. How deep the surface hardening is varys with specific applications. It might be quite shallow. Carbide gravers might cut through it, but it would be a tough go completing the job if the nitriding was deep. I have worked with nitrided surfaces in aircraft applications, but I have not worked with the Citori application.

Stu Millar
9/10/2006 12:28:26 AM

I would try to contact Browning's service center and find out just what exactly the finish is. Sometimes these companies take liberty with what they call a finish. Some of them can be something different or a proprietary finish they use. I see in the catalog they list the finish as a "silver nitride" finish. This may be nothing more than a plating but you should check with them. Also, be advised that sometimes they won't tell you what it is as it might be some special finish they would rather not give out details. It would be worth a call however. Browning seems to better than some others. If you can remove it, I would think a French Gray would work after.

Rex Pedersen
9/11/2006 9:37:16 AM