Past tense of 'blue'; colored blue or made to appear blue, or treated with a chemical process that creates a blue protective coating (especially on gun metal).
Past tense of the verb 'blue' (from Old English 'blæw'), meaning to color or treat with blue. In metallurgy, 'bluing' or 'blued' refers to a specific heat or chemical treatment.
Gun manufacturers have been 'bluing' firearm metal for centuries using a chemical process that not only makes the metal look beautiful but also prevents rust—it's essentially controlled oxidation that's become an art form in gunsmithing.
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