I have been toying with the idea of getting my pre 27 reblued.

My question is would it hurt the value (not that I would ever sell it)? I bought this gun 23 years ago shortly after I turned 21 (my first handgun) it was thin on blue in places when I brought it home.

My next question is about the stocks (or grips).

Would this have been shipped with walnut checkerd diamond Magnas or could it have come with some other style?
I got my gun lettered in 2002 and it just says: shipped on January 7, 1955 with a 3.5 inch barrel, blue finish and checkered walnut grips. Thanks! Ron

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Likely shipped with diamond magna walnut grips. And I have one just like it that I am considering sending somewhere to have it reblued. Mine has spots missing finish and the gun is a back woods carry gun for me that I want to last a long time. The thing shoots as good as some of my long tubes N frames.

I honestly don't think you would hurt the value on that gun by having a quality re-finish done. It has little or no collector value in it's present condition. JMO.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

My pre-27 was refinished by the factory & they did a beautiful job.
Might consider that.
Denis

If the gun were mine in that condition I would put factory magnas or
smooth wood magnas from forum member grip makers on it and not
worry about pricey original diamond grips. I would just keep it well
oiled and not have it reblued. To me the issue wouldn't be resale value
but just the original lines and fit as it came from the factory.

I have never quite understood the urge to re-blue carbon steel revolvers (and semi autos for that matter) when they begin to show honest wear and character. Bluing (probably should be called blacking these days - LOL) is a really poor finish and does almost nothing to protect a steel firearm. It makes it look pretty for a short time, until holster wear and general usage turns it into what it was before the re-blue.

I would very much like to have a 357 Magnum 3.5" (pre-27). I would prefer it be mechanically sound but look about like the OP's gun. Worn handguns in good mechanical condition have a strong appeal to me as they tell the story of being used for their intended purpose, not hiding in a safe protected from callused hands and hot powder gases.

The OP is absolutely free to do what he wants with his own gun. My comments aren't directed specifically toward him but the subject in general. This thread simply brings it to the fore on the forum.

YMMV,
Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

I just received my square butt M36, from Smith & Wesson, that I got back in 1983. It was blue and got in water and slightly pitted the cylinder. They nickel-ed it and my-o-my it is a thing of beauty. I think the nickel was only $20.00 more than a blue job. I got it back within 3 weeks!

P

Based on its present condition, I don't believe rebluing would have a major affect on its value. If it were my gun, considering the change in the look of the blue vs a 1955 blue, I would not reblue the gun. I believe character has value and that gun has a lot of character.

There are some high quality refinishers out there, and if you are willing to spend the cash they can return it close to the factory finish (Fords comes to mind). There is nothing wrong with honest wear, and there is nothing wrong with a good refinishing job. Were it mine, I'd send it to Fords and have it nickeled, then put a nice set of Grashorns with a T-grip. But that's just me.....

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Even older, even crankier....

Thanks for the comments so far.
I would like to clarify one thing, my thinking about reblueing my pre 27 is not solely about looks its also about preserving her, I treasure this gun. The underside of the trigger guard has no blue left at all.
I clean and oil after every trip to the range and in between sometimes too, I am torn between leaving things as they are or reblueing a classic.
This is why I am asking for opinions Ron

NGTDOG, ill make you a killer deal, if you would keep its warrior finish ill send you a well worn pair of diamound magnas like it had when new that will look and match awesome on its worn finish interestd???? in my opi nion you would ruin this ol man if you refinished it, BUT its your guy

Ok I admit it. I just a sent a model 49 that had lots of holster wear but still good and tight to Accurate Plating for hard chrome. As others have said..I didnt adulterate a pristine collectors item. I preserved a nice piece of history for the next generation.

When it comes back from Bob's shop you will be pleased. They did mine in less than 30 days. And yes please order a set of stag grips from Patrick. Post pics when its all done..

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The American dream is alive

Thanks for the replies! At this time I am going to leave her as she is, and thanks to donniedee she will be sporting some original worn walnut diamond magnas in the future. (Thank You Donniedee!)I will post some pictures when I can. Ron

NGTDOG:

Were it mine, I confess that I would send her back home (S&W) for a nice new bluing job. Afterwards I would look around for a set of original - period correct grips.

Unless the gun is of particular sentimental value, historically significant, or a rare version, I truly wouldn't worry much about its value. It's more important that you are happy and complacent each time you take it down to the Shooting Range.

Last year I sent my matched set of Colt SAA revolvers back to Colt to get re-finished in Royal Blue & Case Colored after 20 years of being used for Cowboy Action Shooting. After I received them back, they had come out so spectacular I sent them to Dan Chesiak for two new sets of Ivory Grips too. Never worried about collector value becasue these guns will never be sold in my lifetime. Since they have been and are shot regularly, their collector value is meaningless anyway. Sometimes you just have to do what makes you feel good and not worry about "collector value" which isn't much for your gun in the condition it's in now anyway. Personally, I would do the deed.

Chief38

That gun worked hard to get that patina on it - I would leave it as is and shoot the heck out of it.

Any money you put into a refinish will most likely not increase the value any. If you just want a durable surface - hard chrome is the way to go, but I wouldn't do it to such a classic old gun.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs