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Refinished?

Spartacus
I'm looking at a near mint 1903 colt that is priced accordingly.
I know colt did alot of factory refinishing on these.
any way to tell for sure?
I have other pics. all of the stampings are clear and sharp.
the gun is 95% blue and the plastic grips show almost no wear.
the colt logo appears clear and sharp.
any ideas?
1903u.jpg
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • kimi
    Markings look good to me, but if the rest of the metal looks like what is pictured, it might well be less than a 95% Colt. Nice bright bluing though.
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  • Spartacus
    thanks Kimi!
    here's another pic.
    it's not cheap, but its a good amount below book.
    what do you think?

    bluecolt.jpg
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  • kimi
    You're welcome. The bluing in the second picture does not look anything like the blue finish in the first picture - it's amazing how some pictures look so much different than others where varying shades of color play a part. I must say that it's a nice looking Colt. Hopefully, perryshooter, Old-Colts, Bert or some of the other folks will make some comments too.
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  • Spartacus
    the left side of the slide is the worst part of the gun as far as finish. the rest looks pretty good.
    I'm confused about the serial #
    the reference i have places the gun between 1903 and 1908, but i don't think thats right.
    heres a pic

    dscn1307b.jpg
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  • rufe-snow
    1907, by my reference. Your first picture shows what appears to be wear and imperfections to the finish. It appears to be original, and in Very Good+ condition. 95% might be pushing it though, IMHO.
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  • perry shooter
    Wow it is amazing that different lighting etc can look sooo different The first and third pictures I would say show a pistol with CORRECT original finish with inperfections at what would be expected for 100 years . the second picture however I hope because of lighting and maybe some camera shake looks more of a matt finish. .I THINK it is original a lot would depend on if in a known to me person I trust hands A gun shop In my town I visit or on a table at a gun show and I don't know the man.
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  • nmyers
    Not an expert, but.....with that serial number I'd expect a high polish & fire blue small parts.

    colt1903leftclose-1.jpg
    colt1903leftrearclose.jpg?t=1235393024
    colt1903rightclose.jpg?t=1235393056
    [imghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v15/nmyers/colt1903right.jpg][/img]
    colt1903left.jpg

    Neal
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  • Spartacus
    here's another pic.
    mmeyers- I know colt offered multiple finishes on these (same with the vest pocket 25), they even offered a "gold" plated!
    so the shiney vs matte doesn't bother me too much. what does bother me is the differences in the slide markings.
    yours was made 1908-1910 (?) which makes it a type 2, right? I guess that could explain the different markings.
    anyone know what the 60 means in this pic?
    also, I'm getting book values all over the board for this! can anyone give me a reliable book value say for a 90% example?
    thanks!!

    601903.jpg
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  • COLT
    ...A Colt letter may tell you only if Colt did the refinish, if any was done...pics make it harder to tell unless the buffing guy goes beserk and dishes numbers/lettering. IMO not more than 90% and if redone it was a long time ago unless only the fire control parts were done...color on those looks off but then again maybe just the pics.

    ...I'm not over run with Colt info books except for working on them but weren't these manf. with fire blued and case colored fire control parts, not matte...depending on the date of manf, like the pony inside the circle and others with just the pony w/no circle?...[;)]

    ani-texas-flag-2.gif
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  • givette
    Here's the right side of Neal's gun. (It slipped through the cracks during formatting.) Best, Joe

    colt1903right.jpg]

    Now, to my observations:
    Your gun has an "R" above the proof stamp (VP in a triangle). Make absolutely certain that doesn't designate "refinish" prior to purchase. On the plus side, it would denote a refinish done at [Colt factory].

    Neal's gun doesn't show the "R" stamping. Neal's gun also has a little "B" on the triggerguard, also..perhaps denoting blue finish.

    Using comparative analysis, those two markings would be the focus of my research, to start. Dammmmm..I don't have a Colt reference with me. Perhaps someone else can chime in with the importance (or lack thereof) of the items I have stressed in my reply. Best, Joe

    Off-topic info: I have a factory reworked SAA..not refinished. It was stamped with a little & on the triggerguard, denoting rework. My cylinder is stamped with a tiny [rampant colt], and I think it denotes replacement. Not sure.
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  • Spartacus
    here's one from a guy I've dealt with before.
    the serial # puts it in the same "era" as the one i'm looking at.
    they look very similar.

    mnobox.jpg
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  • Bert H.
    I do not believe that it has been refinished. The markings are still too clean and distinct. No idea on the value.
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  • Spartacus
    quote:I do not believe that it has been refinished. The markings are still too clean and distinct. No idea on the value.

    thanks bert, that's what i was thinking too.
    as far as value;
    the other one for sale is listed at $2K, but the seller REALLY likes his guns!
    I think this one is a pretty good buy at $1K, but I've overpayed for guns before!
    thanks for all the input!
    tom
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