Python nickel finish problem

vipereater

March 28, 2003 15:16

Is the nickel finish light, tarnished or something else? Maybe the gun has been holstered?? The finish seems to de-grade towards the front of the barrel and the front face has the same de-graded finish. Its possible the revolver has been in a display case with constant lighting. The stocks are very dry. The serial dates the revolver at 1959. I don't know if it's Colt factory nickel. A Colt letter has been requested so I will know soon. Suggestions on what I can do with the finish to meet or exceed the brilliance you see on the rest of the revolver. Thanks,

Vipereater


[img]C:\Documents and Settings\Kevin Lundberg\My Documents\My Pictures\P1010005.JPG[/img]

[img]C:\Documents and Settings\Kevin Lundberg\My Documents\My Pictures\P1010006.JPG[/img]

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  Rafter-S

  March 28, 2003 17:19

  It is impossible to give reasonable advice without seeing the gun. You will need take it to someone (who is qualified) to advise you.
  
  Rafter-S
  
  "What is truth? No wonder jesting Pilate turned away. The truth, it has a thousand faces -- show only one of them, and the whole truth flies away! But how to show the whole? That is the question."
  --Thomas Wolfe, "You Can't Go Home Again" (1934)

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  nmyers

  March 28, 2003 17:38

  Moisture, chemicals, & physical wear are the enemies of nickel plate; it's not very durable. Your gun can only be restored by stripping & replating.
  
  I suggest that you phone Pittsburgh Handgun (412-766-6100); Colt refers plating requests to them.
  
  Neal

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  Gatofeo

  March 29, 2003 06:50

  Have you been using Hoppes No. 9 to clean that Colt?
  Back in 1977, I cleaned my S&W Model 29, nickel plated, with Hoppes No. 9 and put it away.
  A month later, when I pulled it out, the nickel looked frosted in some areas.
  A short time later, Hoppes began putting a warning on its label that its product might damage nickel plated guns, if left on the gun.
  I still use Hoppes No. 9 but wipe it off any nickel plating. It doesn't harm bluing.
  
  "A hit with a .22 is better than a miss with a .44!"

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  vipereater

  March 30, 2003 01:44

  Thanks Neal, I have no experience with Pittsburgh Handgun. Is it possible to only re-finish the barrel to a quality that's undetectable from that of the rest of the revolver?
  
  I haven't owned the Python very long and I have no history on what could have happened to the finish. I feel it looks like tarnish that someone has worked over (poorly). Since the problem only exists on the barrel I find it difficult to believe that chemicals or Hoppes No. 9 could have only caused this in a local area. If it was in areas overall the gun then that would more believable. The finish on the rest of my revolver looks excellent.
  
  This is my first experience with nickel. Suggestions on how to best care for the finish. My safe is climate controlled and humidity in check. Should the revolver go in the safe with a thin film of oil or whipped dry? Or just use a silicon cloth? Does nickel finish swirl easily?

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