Yes , they had hot blue then. Here’s a description from Michael Petrov book: (note the last sentence)
A typical Sedgley sporter was made on a Springfield action in caliber .30-06 with a 26” barrel that was made by Winchester. The stock was without cheek piece and made from imported walnut. If you wanted a cheek piece you had to order a better grade of wood that ran from 15 to 30 dollars more; they would not build a rifle with a cheek piece using their plain wood. The stock had a Schnabel fore-end, Winchester steel buttplate, hard rubber pistol grip cap and barrel band sling swivel that went through the stock. The pistol grip and fore-end as well as a small section to the rear of the tang was checkered. All Sedgleys that I have examined show above average inletting and checkering. Sighting equipment was a Lyman 48-receiver sight and a banded ramp front sight with gold or ivory bead. The receiver ring where the serial number had been removed was matted to cut down on glare. The gun was hot blued and the color is a shinny blue that is, in my opinion, not as attractive as rust blue found on most custom sporters of the day.
