Posted on 08/25/2004 9:48:53 AM PDT by presidio9
I believe it refers to something completed using a rifle as a stereotype, old weapons had barrels that screwed into the receivers and were blued to protect against rust and finally marked as to the builder and the date made.
Trying to track down old phrases like this can be frustrating: I've spent quite some time at it. Both explanations make sense but I'm inclined to go with O.P.'s because my Dad was a gunsmith. I remember him blueing rifle barrels -- a dangerous process requiring cyanide as I remember. I'm not sure what "blued" refers to about being shanghaied unless it's an oblique reference to the blue ocean or a Navy blue uniform.
That's true, and I have no dogs in the fight. However, OPs gun explanation doesn't do much for tattooing.
Klevvvveeeerrr!
Electric etchers were used to scribe the barrel and receiver metal in a touch, release fashion just as tatooing is done with a needle.
You can make an etcher using an ice pick, a couple of jumper leads, and a strong battery.
OP explained it well I think.. It could also be jargon for "imprinted" or "etched." I have no dog in the fight either except that the phrase dates from long before the 1960s.
"If you go, wear flowers in your hair."
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