In a fit of extravagance a few months ago, I send off an older customized Kimber Classic Custom to EGW for their E-Treat finish. About 6 weeks later, the nice FEDEX guy delivered a box that weighed about the same as a 1911. I had the firearm and two magazines E-Treated. The E-Treat finish is a nice even satin black (any variation in the pictures is from my quick wipedown before taking pics). The gun's original finish was a satin blue. All parts were E-Treated except for the hammer, sear, bushing, extractor, pins, and springs. I had asked for the stainless finish on the hammer and bushing to be left alone, and the EGW folks said that the other stuff wasn't E-Treated to ensure that any original heat treating wasn't adversely affected. This along with the appearance leads me to guess that the finish is a melonite like process, but the EGW folks, as nice as they are, still are keeping the technical details pretty close to the vest.
Now about 500 rounds later, the gun shows absolutely not a hint of finish wear anywhere on the E-Treat, including the slide rails. I tried to scratch the inside of the slide with a knife and it didn't have any effect. Based on my limited experience, this is my favorite black finish now. It doesn't have the beauty of deep polished blue, but it's much more durable.
The gun itself has been customized by Dane Burns, with barrel fitting and bushing by Chuck Rogers, and Dawson rail by Dawson Precision.
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