Recommendation on gun refinishing
I have recently come into possesion of a couple of .45 cal pistols.
One is a Colt 1911 mfg. in 1919 an original army issue gun, however, it has been "parkerized" some time in its life. The gun does not have any arsenal stamps but does have correct proof markings. 2 questions on this, should I have it refinished to original "blue" or leave it as I got it because parkerizing was not original to early 1911's. And who is reputable to do the bluing restoration?
Second, I have a Remington Rand that has been nickel plated, who does good parkerizing on these and what is the general range cost wise.
Thaks,
Marc
One is a Colt 1911 mfg. in 1919 an original army issue gun, however, it has been "parkerized" some time in its life. The gun does not have any arsenal stamps but does have correct proof markings. 2 questions on this, should I have it refinished to original "blue" or leave it as I got it because parkerizing was not original to early 1911's. And who is reputable to do the bluing restoration?
Second, I have a Remington Rand that has been nickel plated, who does good parkerizing on these and what is the general range cost wise.
Thaks,
Marc
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The Colt can be reblued, but not to "original", or anything close. And, it can't be "restored", the best you do is "professional refinishing". Right now you have a refinished shooter worth $400-500; spend a few hundred "restoring" it, and you will still have a refinished shooter worth $400-500.
The Rem Rand can be de-plated & parkerized, but the same logic above also applies to this gun.
If you still want to go this route, talk to Dean at Dean's Gun Restorations.
Neal0 -
Chances are the Colt was done by/for the military. That wouldn't be unusual. I'd leave it alone.
The Remington has already been "buggered up". Removing the nickel plating will cost a bundle, I think. Hit the Yellow pages and talk to a metal finishing place and ask them about it. Seems to me it's not a big deal, but they'll be able to give you an idea of the cost of removing the plating and parkerizing it. If you do end up sending it to one of them, send only the parts you want finished. No springs.0 -
1911's like you describe make outstanding "under-the-front-seat-of-the-truck" guns...or guns to carry in your fishing tackle box. They are not worth much with regards to $, but still make great personal defence guns.
I have an old commercial Colt made in the 20's that looks terrible--less than 10% of the original finish remains, but it's 100% reliable and will hit what it's aimed at. It's the only handgun I keep "available" in the house. The high-dollar guns are locked up in the safe.
My humble 2-cents worth,
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)0 -
I was told by the gunsmith that the Colt was worth about 900 as is and I should not refinish it.
Then he told me that the Remington was a "pimp" gun worth little the way it was. I may just refinish that one.
Thanks for all the help.0 -
I am assuming when you say Colt M1911, you mean a military pistol. It is common to see commercial pistols of all vintages called Models 1911, and only military pistols were so designated. Commercial pistols are Government Models.
If a true original WWI military pistol, the Colt could be a military rebuild for WWII, and proper as it is. Look for an AA or other rebuild mark on it. If a WWII military rebuild, which was a common practice with WWI pistols, it has some additional value over a pure shooter. $900 for a military rebuild would be higher than I would pay, but then I saw a badly pitted M1911 with no finish recently bring $550 or so on one of the auction sites. Wow! (Two newbies were bidding as I recall, so I discount the price. It is common to find people who think any old gun is worth more than it is.) I would have guessed not more than $200 as a junk shooter or a "pickup gun" as mentioned!
If the Colt were to be refinished to WWI configuration, it probably would have to be the brush blue to be correct. That would be easier than a commercial blue, although the brushing patterns are very distinct and would have to be followed to look right. However, as Mr. Myers says, the value is the same either way, unless you actually get a "restoration" from one of the very few who can duplcate original finishes. Plan on spending well over $1000 to $2000 or more for that service. And you STILL have a refinished gun in the end, although it might fool everyone.
If neither pistol is original, sell them to someone seeking a shooter or "pickup gun" and buy an original gun, or keep them and use them for the same purpose that someone would buy them.0 -
Thanks Judge, I was hoping to have your input on this. Yes, the gun in question is a WWI military gun all maked correctly and in great condition with a Colt mfg date of 1919. The only puzzle is that it has all the inspector and proof marks that it should have but no arsenal restamp and the gun is not blue, just the trigger and hammer and backstrap etc...the finish is old but not blue, more of a very dark green tint like I have seen on WWII guns. It is in great shape for the year, the grips look original and are wood but worn of course. I could send pictures? The trigger has 4 number 8's sramped on it like sideways along where you would restyour finger. Any ideas?
Thanks, The remington is going to get refinished, it's a shame to let such an old gun go like that you know history and all!
Anyway, I will use the Rem as a shooter but would like to have it refinished to at least not look like a pimp carrying it!
Thanks for the imput!0 -
I am confused. (I know, that is nothing unusual!) Any arsenal WWII rebuild of a WWI pistol will result in the pistol being parkerized, which IS like that seen on WWII pistols, because it IS the finish used on WWII pistols. Therefore, the Colt could be "original" as it existed after the rebuild.
The color of parkerizing depends on when done and by whom. Just like WWII pistols, most small parts will not be parkerized. Although I am no expert on military pistols, I assume it would be unusual to have a rebuilt pistol with no rebuild mark, but perhaps not impossible. The missing rebuild mark could indicate a private refinish, as would the wood stocks. I believe it was customary to replace the WWI wood stocks with plastic WWII stocks during rebuild. Again, there could be exceptions, but I doubt it. If the pistol looks like a WWII rebuild, why not just leave it that way?
Again I suggest you consider what Mr. Nunn said. Spending money on these dogs will not change their status or value. What you spend will not increase the value enough to cover the cost involved, unless you catch an ignorant buyer. It could be the Colt is still "original" in its rebuilt form and should be left alone.0 -
I had the earlier Colt looked at again and yes, it seems that it is "original" condition and was redone very early on as a refinish by some arsenal not marked. All of the parts on it are blue with the gun having a grey/green type finish like on WWII guns but I was told this happened to a lot of late WWI guns (mine is 1919) and were not marked but just issued as WWII firearms as is.
I had it at the shop and was offered some decent money as-is but I will not sell it (yet) and I am enjoying the research!0
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