S&W Model 53 blue turning to Patina??
I inherited a S&w Model 53 .22 Jet. It has been stored for quite some time in the box, wrapped in the wax type factory paper. The bluing is turning to a browniosh (patina) color). A gun dealer told me that is due to aging and that the patina color proves the gun has not been re-blued. The lettering and emblems are crisp and even height, so appears no sanding down or rebluing. Inside the cylinder area is still blue and both ends of the cylinder are a dark blue. Can you tell me what is going on with the patina color? The gun is a 4 screw, 1961 vintage. Thanks, Dave
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I inherited a S&W M<odel 53 .22 Jet. It has been in the box wrapped in the origianl wax type paper for some time. The bluing on the metal surfaces has turned to a light brownish color. Wen I asked a gunshop dealer about this, he said it is tuning a patina color due to age and that is a godd sign meaning it has never been reblued. When opening the cylinder, inside the the gun appears to be blue and both ends of the cylinder appear blue black. Under a magnifying glass, the lettering and the S&W emblem are crisp and even with no signs of sanding and rebluing. What do you thing the turning brownish (patina) color is all about?[?] Thanks, Dave 0 -
are you sure it was not covered with something like RIG or sprayed down with WD 40 both will dry out to a yellow brown coating . I would wipe down with BURLAP wet with Kroil. Stored in the box with the vapor /Wax paper I have seen 100 year old blued guns that looked like new. Of course these were rust blued not HOT Blued. 0 -
If it was stored in some area with exposure to either high humidity or chemical vapors over a long time span, this might have started to affect the finish. If it is patinated not dried on lubricants like PS suggested, you might contact S & W to see if they would be willing to refinish it. 0 -
Over time some steels turn a plumb or burgundy hue as a result of the bluing process. Dan Wesson frames, Ruger single action loading gates and Remington 700 bolt handles come to mind and I've seen a few first hand, a Rem 40X I have has the condition.
I'm not aware of original condition Smiths having this condition in general. I would want to take a look but my concern would be the gun has been reblued, I have seen reblued Smiths with that condition.0 -
burgundy hue as a result of the bluing process. Dan Wesson frames, Ruger single action loading gates
Plus 1 on that. Although to me it is early to see patina on a Smith made in 61,,, I would not reblue the Smith though,,,my 2 cents.0 -
Years ago S&W offered three finishes. Blue, Nickel, and 'S&W Bright Blue' (on premium revolvers).
My .44 hand ejector (pre M-29) is finished in the proprietary 'S&W Bright Blue' and looks 'purplish' when viewed in direct sunlight.
I've had this revolver for over forty years, and that 'purple' overtone to the bluing was visible when first bought, and hasn't increased over the years (not a result of 'antiquing into a patina'). Best, Joe0 -
There was a thread on this very topic a few months back, I'm kicking myself that I can't find it now.
Anyway, as you know, bluing is a specialized form of controlled rusting.
Depending on the chemicals used and the nature of the metal treated, some blue finishes will either start off black then gradually turn a plum-purple color, or may just start (and stay) purple. But that's a little bit of a different thing than what you describe. Thread on this here:
http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=46144
FWIW, I've also seen the loading gate of a Super-Blackhawk turn purple.
With time, the shiny black Fe3O4 oxide surface coat that is created with ordinary gun bluing can turn into the Fe2O3 form of oxide which is an orange/brown color and akin to ordinary rust.
The things that cause ordinary rust (moisture or corrosive chemicals coupled with lack of surface oiling to protect the finish) can accelerate this browning process.
In constrast to the plum-like color change, I don't think this sort of brown change in the finish by itself proves that a gun has or hasn't been refinished. I think under the right (ie wrong) conditions, it can happen to any blued gun.
I also don't think the process is easily reversible. The only "fix" I know of is a refinish, but in your case, I wouldn't advise doing that, as it generally only decreases the value of a collector's gun.0 -
Contact S&W and ask what they charge to redo the 53. A friend had a 58 done and it looks just like it came new in the box now.
The value doesn't lower for a factory refinish.0
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