Well after reading post on my WTB for a good 29-2 blued sideplate and still not finding one....maybe the best question to ask....where should i send this sideplate to have it properly blued to match this very nice 29-2 i just got from Dad...he decided he no longer needed a 44 so a trade ensued and now i have a 29-2 4" i really do not need...but this sideplate is almost grey in color....do u know of any good bluers who might be good to get in touch with for this small job?
Thanks in advance
God Bless,John

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Think I would leave it as it is...just my opinion.

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Then you will have a perfect side plate on a used gun.
Why not do the whole gun for a bit more?
I think you'd be very happy afterward.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

IMO, I'd either leave as is or do entire gun.

If you got a match out a re-blued sideplate, it would be a miracle. I'd leave it alone and enjoy it. For an exact match your only option is a complete refinish.

I've got a K-22 with a different colored sideplate on it, brighter blue than the rest of the gun.
After you holster the revolver a thousand times the left side of the barrel gets shiney and the cylinder gets to be almost white, the sideplate gets to be the only part that has factory color!

Spend the money you woulda' used on a re-blue on ammo instead.

Take Dad with you to shoot it.

GF

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SWCA #2420

Even if they can get the blue to match,the edges will be rounded off and the seam will be more noticeable.

From the appearance of your gun, it is all or nothing. I would contact S&W and send it to them for a refinish. I has a similar situation with a model 10 with a worn discolored side plate. They recut the logo and did a nice standard blue. The result was excellent.

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In an ideal Homer Simpson world:
1. You'd find someone with the opposite problem (graying gun with blue side plate) and you'd trade side plates, and they would miraculously fit well, and match well.
2. Be able to eat all the donuts you want and not gain weight.
3. Be able to drink all the beer you want and not gain weight.

Homer Simpson: "Ooh, look at me! I'm making people happy! I'm the Magical Man from Happy-Land, in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane!"

On this one you've got to decide - are you the ham or are you the cheese?*

I'd be the cheese and just leave it alone. If you really want to fix the color of the side plate I would opine it would be best to be the ham and really commit and refinish the entire revolver.

*In the making of a ham and cheese sandwich the cow merely participated but the pig was seriously committed.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Just refinish the whole gun, or leave it as it is.

It's a good shooter right now.

You may be able to get closer by using some cold blue over it. I don't think that it is necessary though. Be HAPPY, that DAD gave it to you. Bob

Nickel plating it would also be a good option.

Did you try Firearm Parts & Accessories | Military Surplus | Numrich Gun Parts for another side plate? Then you can save the orginal one.

Reblue the whole revolver, nickel it?

Remove the sideplate, wash it with alcohol, go over it with 0000 steelwool lightly, heat it with a hair dryer, apply cold bluing rub it in with 0000. Steelwool and repeat till the desired color is achieved. Then oil it up.

For what it's worth I'd leave the patina on it or replace it.

well i did try Numrich and what they sent me was a reblued dented mess of a side plate...and i returned it for exchange and they told me is was the best one they had...i did try to reblue it when Dad first got it...i tried a few different bluing agents..the Oxpho blue was the best but i could never make it look any better than it is...thank u for the kind words...God Bless,John
i might have a good lead on one...we will find out here later today

hey i will ask all of u..what is the best for touch up blue?...i am told to use Express Blue first and them Oxpho Blue to get the best results...what do u all think?..

If you try to use any other sideplate it will have to be fitted, since they were hand fitted at the factory. As others said, I would leave as is or refinish the whole gun.
I'm a big fan of Oxpho Blue.

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Get off my lawn!

Oxpho Blue. Follow the instructions on the bottle. Before applying the blue each time, warm the plate with a propane torch only to the point that the bluing solution steams a little. Repeat the process until you get as close as you can to the desired color.

I say as close as you can because the final color will not show until the bluing has cured for about 24 hrs. Depending on the particular steel the color may be off just a bit but you can "age" it a little to match the rest of the gun.

I agree that either leaving it as is or redoing the entire gun are your only viable choices.
But whatever you do, don't paint it pink!

Sometimes the bluing is hard to take to the metal. Warm the metal. Use 0000 steelwool with the bluing on it and rub it in in circular motions. It will get into the metal pores.

I am following this thread with interest as I have a 1948 K22 that is perfect, except for a driver's license number lightly electro pencilled into the side plate. Been wondering if there's anything I can do.

I don't know how careful you were in your bluing attempts but very careful preparation is important. Proper removal of oil and contaminants is really important. Some say cotton is usually contaminated. I like soaking in automotive grade lacquer thinner as a prep. I use old washed t-shirts to avoid the cotton. I think working with the original part fitted to the gun is your best option. Good luck!

Well i cleaned everything well and use cotton balls on slightly heated parts with ohpho blue...i will try the lacquer thinner ...and try old t shirts too...she will never be a safe queen but try to get her looking a bit better

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I would love to be able to use all the original parts too ...

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