Replicating 29-2 polish

thefresh2o · Jun 30, 2020

Hi folks,

I've a 6" 29-2, with the beautiful high polish of the time.
I don't shoot it much, but would definitely use a 4" barrel more.

I happen to have a 4" barrel - however it's a non-pinned bbl with a 'polish' more like a Highwayman...

I want to polish the barrel to a high shine and my 'smith will drop it in his tank.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for polishing - any forms or shapes for the sandpaper and suggested grit to polish to to get that depth of blue on the barrel rounds.

Thanks

Fishinfool · Jun 30, 2020

I don't know you will be able to match the original finish, if that matters to you. The polish will have to be the same as factory, as will the blueing process. Another option might be to have a good smith cut the barrel to 4 inches, and sell the 4 inch barrel you have to help defray the cost. Some collectors will cringe at the idea, but its your gun, and what works for you is what's important. Besides 29-2's are not exactly rare.

Another option is to sell or trade it for an original 4 inch gun, though availability might be an issue in your location, as might sentimental value. That would be my choice, but then 4 inch 29-2's are not hard to find here in the states.

I am sure someone will come along with the exact info r/e what type and grit of polish was used in the day, as well as blueing formula..

Larry

thefresh2o · Jun 30, 2020

Thanks Larry,
I'd prefer not to cut the barrel. I'd never get past the roll marks being off-centre

I've not come across 4" 29 here. I've been looking.

stansdds · Jun 30, 2020

The best way to get a replacement barrel refinished to match the rest of the revolver is to refinish the entire piece.

Neversink n Klapperthal · Jun 30, 2020

Guns International often has 4 inch 29s for sale. If your not an FFL they will send it to your LGS

colt_saa · Jun 30, 2020

thefresh2o said:
Hi folks,

I've a 6" 29-2, with the beautiful high polish of the time.
I don't shoot it much, but would definitely use a 4" barrel more.

I happen to have a 4" barrel - however it's a non-pinned bbl with a 'polish' more like a Highwayman...

I want to polish the barrel to a high shine and my 'smith will drop it in his tank.

I'd appreciate any suggestions for polishing - any forms or shapes for the sandpaper and suggested grit to polish to to get that depth of blue on the barrel rounds.

Thanks

Since you are not in the United States, I am sure there are less options open to you than we are used to here in America

Since you are going to do the polishing yourself, and I am guessing the gun smith is a buddy . . . it costs you very little to try this

You will not get an exact match, but you might get a pretty close one. The bluing process that our EPA banned years ago, might still be in use in New Zealand. If the match is not close enough, you can always go to plan "B"

First, you do not polish with sandpaper . . . . You need a buffing wheel and buffing compounds (polishing rouge) BTW, your gun smith will have these in his shop. You might ask him what he would charge to do the polish for you

If you have never done this before, you might want to Google some YouTube videos and watch the process before undertaking it

thefresh2o · Jul 1, 2020

Colt-saa, thanks.
Yes, indeedy - we definitely have fewer options when it comes to pistols and revolvers - I've had to be resourceful when it comes to my S&Ws. Kuenhausen has been a very useful resource.
My 'smith is just one of those rare folk who is happy to share his knowledge. He blues every couple of weeks and will run the polishing wheel over the barrel before it goes into the tank.

chief38 · Jul 1, 2020

It all depends on just how fussy you are. IMHO the finish will never match exactly and the only way it will is if you refinished the entire gun. If you can live with close enough - then just bluing the bbl. itself will suffice.

The high gloss and depth of a bluing job is all about the preparation. The smoother, finer and more perfect the prep job, will determine just how well and deep the new bluing come out. Finer and finer polishing along with evenness of the polishing is the key. It also would depend on the bluing process and how good your GS is.

thefresh2o · Jul 12, 2020

Thanks for the responses, folks. Appreciated.
I guess I'll find out how it goes - I'll have a crack at hand-polishing to get the wee dings out and to get to a nice polish before getting the 'smith loose with his buffing wheel.
I am looking forwards to having a 4" model 29 tho.

Kp321 · Jul 14, 2020

Brownells 555 polish on a loose muslin wheel for the final polish.

Replicating 29-2 polish

thefresh2o

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Fishinfool

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thefresh2o

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stansdds

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Neversink n Klapperthal

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colt_saa

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thefresh2o

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chief38

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thefresh2o

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Kp321

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