Answer

1964 is the year that Winchester made several changes, on a model 70 it is easy to tell if it is a pre-64 style or post as I believe they made both styles that year. As far as the other guns I don’t know, you will probably have both new and old style. Both should take the touch up blue. Ken

Reply:

I remember in the rifle course that you must remove the black chrome plating (this was in the model 94 section). Does this pertain to model 94 only? I believe this is on post ’64 94s. So did they only do this type of bluing on 94s post 64? and are the newer ones still that way? This was the era that they cheapened them. It must have been more cost effective for them to use this different type of bluing.

Answer:

Yes that only pertains to the model 94, and yes the newer ones (post 64). Too bad they cheapened those guns so much.

Reply:

Here’s another one for you. The factory bluing is blue or black. Why is this? Do different brands come in different color? This Model 88 I just touched up was black. (The Blue Wonder I use comes in black and in blue). I first did it with blue and it didn’t look so good. I redid it with black and it turned out REAL NICE. When you look at a gun how can you tell if it is black or blue from the factory?

Then if I know if it is blue or black I can get it right the first time.

Answer:

I don’t have any idea. If a gun needs bluing I reblue it. If it has a scratch or burred up part I just touch it up as the customer knows it will be a touch up unless they want to pay to have it blued.