The old Colt "royal blue" finish has always been a beauty to behold. But holster wear can become a very real issue.

Actually, the anodized aluminum frames will frequently display wear much more easily than blued steel.

My recommendations are always the same:

1. Select a holster that is very closely fitted to the weapon. Eliminating movement of the handgun within the holster (as we walk, stand, sit, etc) will eliminate the conditions that contribute most to holster wear.

2. A good smooth leather lining will help to minimize holster wear. Smooth leather does not tend to gather dust and grit like suede leather can do, so there will be less concern about foreign matter collecting and abrading the handgun's finish with each use.

3. Never store your handgun in a leather holster or case. All leather articles have a tendency to collect and retain moisture (from precipitation, from perspiration, etc). Remove the weapon from the holster after each day's use and wipe it down with an oily rag. Leave the holster out in an area having good airflow, allowing residual moisture to evaporate away.

4. Use only holsters made of vegetable-tanned leather. Other tannages utilize chemical salts that can remain in the finished leather and can cause corrosion in any steel alloy (including stainless steels).

Best regards.