Guys I see S&W says they won't reblue older guns, is this an case by case desicion, as I see many factory older reblues for sale on Gunbroker and other auction sites? I ask as I am picking up an old 455 Eley british contract 1st model New Century or Tripplelock? the seller is unsure and the price was to good to pass up, but it has alot of holster wear, and need an new set of clothes The grips and barrel look real good and the gun was never abused only in and out of a raw hide holster a million times! Thanks for the great help I get from fellow members, cheers Dale Z in Canada

Quite a few years ago I sent a Triplelock to the factory, requesting a refinish. They declined to do it, with no explanation. At the same time, a friend sent in a 1920's M&P, which they did refinish, and replaced some parts. My gun had been refinished previously, which may have been why they wouldn't do it, or perhaps there is a liability factor where they don't want to work on a gun unless they can replace any parts they feel are needed, or may be needed, and did not have any on hand.

I can see a problem with them taking a chance on disassembling a gun, finding an issue, and not being able to correct it. Would they dare put it back together and send it back?

The story is supposed to be that the factory will not work on older
guns because they do not have parts for them. The underlying idea
is that when they do anything to a gun, refinishing included, they
check it out, to make sure it meets their operational standards. If
anything is wrong, they have to fix it, and if it needs a new part, then
they have to have the new parts. Since they don't have parts for
triplelocks, etc - in fact, any pre-WW2 gun - their policy is to not
accept them for service.

There are competent gunsmiths, like Dave Chicoine, who will work on,
and refinish, any older S&W - triplelocks included. Dave has lots of
older parts - much more than the factory because he bought a lot of
theirs years ago, and so he can do this kind of work.

Mike Priwer

You might be amazed at just how many of these "factory reblues", aren't factory. (Or if they are, they were done when the gun wasn't old.)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

Mike and Dave thanks for your input on what S&W will refinish! I understand that they cannot let a gun go out in non working order, that makes sence. I would only send it to S&W in the USA, as I like to keep my guns strickly factory if refinished, but if they won't do it I have a good guy here in Canada. I would love to have the easy acess you fellows in the US have to many excellent gun restorers, but with Homeland Stupidity it is only worth doing all the paperwork if S&W could do it for me. A pleasure as always Ladies & gentalmen!, Dale Z in Canada

I don't see the point in refinishing that Triple Lock.
You are spending money to lower the value, in my opinion.
Live with it as-is or seek a better example.
A gun only wears the original finish once, no matter who refinishes it.

__________________
Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Back in 1980 I sent a 5 screw 44 magnum to the factory for reblue as it had very little finish on it. While it was there I assumed they checked it out for safety,because they replaced the cylinder and serial numbered it to the gun. When I got it back it came with the old cylinder , and invoice containing the work done,the service dept.work no.and a price.With a 20% discount it came to $81.31.I still have everthing.
Leon

Lee ,the gun is less than 50% finish, I am not worried about value as I picked it up for $450 Canadian, so really just looking for a good day to day shooter, as I do not wish to wear out my Colt 1917 Targeted 455 Eley! I would prefer to have a gun in top condition, but they are getting very hard to find and pricey, around $1100-1500 right now and going up! There is a resergence to this old British calibre, so Wobly Webley prices have gone threw the roof, most are $1500-2800 now, when 10 years ago you could not give them away fro $300! Funny how times changes people and prices!
I am not apossed to adding an factory refinished gun to my collection, but outside vendors ussually bring down value very quickly, and are hard to sell later on here in Canada?
Lee I don't mind my 1994 Chevy 4X4 having faded and peeling paint, but not my guns, I am funny that way,haha, take care fella's Dale Z!

If you are set on having it refinished. realize that even if you could convince the factory to do it, you would not get anything comparable to the original finish. They would put a current type blue on it that would stand out like a lighthouse as not being original. If you want anything done to it you should go to one of the custom 'smiths that are known for their great work. (Chicoine, Turnbull, Ford, etc.)
At least their work looks right. If you just want to protect the gun by having it reblued, most any competent shop can do it. (I'm sure you must have some in Canada.)

A Lee said, it only can have an original finish once. A current factory (or factory type) refinish would only detract from the value as a collector. As a shooter, one of the custom refinishes might cost more than you are willing to pay, so it's up to you. (and your checkbook.)

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

I just got off the phone with Smith. They will not do ANY gunsmithing on a gun as old as a 38/44 HD. Guessing it would be safe to assume that goes for anything pre model numbered.

I called S&W Service to inquire about a retiming and tune-up on my 1958 44 Magnum, and the rep did not say anything about not being able to work on it. He did say that it would cost $85 and take 3 weeks for them to look at it and give an estimate for any other issues, and then another 4 weeks to complete the work after payment for the work is received. He said that rebluing is also running 4 weeks, and he tries to discourage people from rebluing their old guns.

I have seen Fords work done on guns here in Canada, and must say it is top notch, the only problem was time it took to shipp and get the gun back almost 12 months due to waiting for import papers from ATF to be filled out and aproived, then the wait time for most of these excellent restoration guys down south! I never thought of sending it to Doug Turnbull, I like his work on Winchesters and Parker shotguns, maybe this is the rout to go! Like most I am on the fence of refinishing, but a factory reblue has never detered me from a purchace, as it is like taking your old Chevy to the dealer for repair, factor parts and technishions are used to do the work, I am funny that way I guess, thanks for everone thoughts and feelings! Dale Z!

I currently have 2 guns with S&W, a K-22 and a 27-2. I called a few days ago to see the progress and they said another few weeks. The K-22 is from 1953 and a 5 screw. The guy on the phone however told me that their line in the sand for accepting a gun for any type of work is 1958. I assume that they took my K-22 in, 2x now, because most if not all of the parts interchange with later model 17s but I'm not sure.

The first time I called about the K-22, I told them the extractor wasn't getting the cases out, and they gave a little bit of "well it might be too old" but then I pointed out that an extractor would be the same as later ones and the guy gave in and allowed me to send it in. After I got it back, it wasn't cocking (after the gun warms up, the hammer is hard to pull back. The gun wants to pull the hammer back) as well and I noticed that the cylinder gap was pretty big - bigger than any of my other revolvers - so I called and complained and was allowed to send it again and they said they would cover it.

I called about my Victory and they told me the same thing, it is because they do not have any parts in case they lose one or need one for guns that old.