COLT 1911 re-blue
When a letter from Colt confirms the factory finish on the Colt 1911 dad left me I plan to have it restored to its original look.
It is a commercial model and Colt gave the DOM by phone as 1941.
I am certain the nicely done nickel plating it now has is not original.
I am assuming that Colt will do as fine of an original type re-blueing job as any other shop.
Turnbulls and Run.n.iron are some other considerations.
Opinions?
Thank You.
It is a commercial model and Colt gave the DOM by phone as 1941.
I am certain the nicely done nickel plating it now has is not original.
I am assuming that Colt will do as fine of an original type re-blueing job as any other shop.
Turnbulls and Run.n.iron are some other considerations.
Opinions?
Thank You.
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I collect COlt 1911 Single actions and Woodsman's I would leave it as is. a refinish over a refinish is not in your best Interest. In my opinion. 0 -
If the nickel is flaking off then a refinish might be in order. I would be inclined to re-nickel it more than to remove more material in order to return to blue.
I think lots of people could produce a nice finish, re-stamping/freshen the marks, not so much.
No matter how much money you throw at it, its still a refinish and you will likely never recover most of the money you throw at it.0 -
leave it alone 0 -
I'd leave it as pops left it to me. Unless the copper's showing. All copper 1911 might be cool though. Steam Punk [:D].
How much metal would they remove to blue? I seen Turnbull rolling out color case that's cool, too. If money's no object0 -
Factory nickel or plated for Dad: Just clean and leave alone unless poor appearance, in which case, renickel.
Aftermarket nickel bought second hand by Dad: Return to blue.
True restoration is very expensive. A guy on the 1911 board paid Turnbull $2600 to bring his bubbaplated 1938 Colt back to new appearance. Some shops will not nickel strip.
An ordinary refinish which may not look just like 1941 new will still be some hundreds of bucks.0 -
If the gun is properly refinished, it should be indistinguishable from original.
Proper refinish includes chemically stripping the old finish off, touching up any spots needed, and replating.
Gun manufacturers don't use a copper underplate. Copper is not necessary for nickel adhesion to steel.0 -
An area is flaking at the edge of the slide.
I am not 100% certain that it is nickeled.
A few people think it may be chromed.
What I am certain of is dad bought it used as it is now.
He wasn't into refinished guns.
Maybe he thought it was all original.
The lettering and numbers are all sharp.
The giveaway as a redo are a couple of vague-missing lines in the rampant colt.
Hope to get the letter soon.
Ordered it June 6.Colt pulled the money this week.0 -
Colt doesn't usually refinish guns no longer in production. That's because they often find parts that are worn/broken, & they no longer stock parts for guns not currently being made.
Your gun may well be chrome plated. Until the 1960's, there were lots of "bumper shops" that chrome plated car bumpers, but also plated used guns for a few bucks. Painted bumpers & EPA regs put all of them out of business.
One problem refinishing such guns is that you never know what they really look like until you strip the old finish. You might want to send photos to Warpath Vintage LLC, as they specialize in stripping & refinishing guns. Bottom line: do what makes you happy.
Neal
"Life is too short to shoot an ugly gun" --- Dean's Gun Restoration0 -
The finish on a plated gun is exactly what you will see with the plating stripped. Plating does not change the surface texture at all-it just covers it evenly. 0 -
Personally I would leave it be, as it is. It has more sentimental value than it can ever have real value. 0
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