Sent a scuffed up and blued Model 57 to Ford’s Refinishing to be plated in nickle. Had slight pitting on the left side of the barrel near the front sight, too.

The result is simply amazing. It looks better than it did from the factory, as the front of the cylinder is still pristine and there are no cylinder turn marks either.

It took a little over four months, but it was well worth it now!

If you are considering sending a piece to them, I heartily recommend them. They once again have done stellar work. Simply stellar.

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BTW, before we go there, I’m not worried one iota about resale value. This is a pinned and recessed Model 57, shipped the year I graduated high school, 1978. I feel fortunate to have it.

This baby is going nowhere, until it goes to my nephew in the future. I won’t miss it, either...only because I’ll be pushing up daisies!

Wow! Simply Beautiful. Enjoy!

If Dirty Harry carried a blued model 29 I would believe that what you have is the revolver that Amos Burke would carried, a nickle plated model 57. Because it goes just perfectly with a Rolls Royce. Well Done Sir.

That Sir is one beautiful revolver, thanks for letting us look at her.

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

Ford's is the way to go when you want Quality

Wow ,Fords may well fall into the category of art rather than refinisher ,also it's nice to hear someone who values something beyond what the dollar value is .Enjoy .

I would love to send my "birth-year" ( 1947) factory nickel M&P to Fords to have it refinished. I was all set to go, then couldn't find how to send it without spending $$$. Do you guys go through an FFL, or other method without spending $100 plus just for shipping ??

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John

Just send it in to them, and they ship it back to you UPS Ground. No FFL involvement was needed in Ohio.

You are getting something repaired and nothing is changing hands. And they, as mentioned, really are artists.

Their “Master Blue Polish” looks just like the factory used to be able to produce. Those were the days.

First, go to their website, and you will see a Work Order link. Print it out, fill it out and include it with your piece.

I also printed out their pricing sheet and circled what I wanted done to be doubly sure.

Once my tracking number indicated it arrived there, I followed up with a phone call to make sure we were on the same page.

Then the hard part starts...the waiting!

Once it is ready to ship, they call you for payment and it comes back to you UPS Ground. Someone over 21 needs to sign for it is all.

Go for it! You’ll be happy with the result, I’m sure.

Thank you all for the kind words. I thought many of you might like it as much as I do.

Wow, was that a "Burke's Law" reference? I haven't thought about that in 45+ years.

Simply a joy to behold! Sincerely. bruce.

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<><

Had them do their Master Blue finish on a Colt OP in 32-20 a while back. Damn gun is so pretty I don't even like touching it. They know what they are doing for sure.

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Oderint dum Metuant

From what I can see in the photos, it looks like an awesome refinish.
Very handsome gun.

Thanks for posting the photos.

I'm not even a huge fan of nickel guns, but that is a stunner.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Stunning. Well done.

Fords "Master Blue" is superior to the factory finish---superior in that the preparation (polishing) is done by hand, and to a higher degree (shinier). You can see the difference in the final product across a good sized room. The color is typically a bit darker---also noticeable from afar.

I have no current knowledge of their current pricing, but if it's anything akin to previous, I don't know how they do it for so little.

Ralph Tremaine

Oldster, is your problem that some shippers - like UPS or Fedex - tell you that you HAVE to ship the gun overnight air, for no other reason than it's a handgun? UPS did that with me on a Heritage single action revolver warranty repair to Florida. Cost me like $85 to send it. I was mad, because most of my gunbroker purchases come to me by 3rd day or ground and cost anywhere from $35 on down to $15, depending on where they come from. It's a racket of some sort.

Nobody can tell me why the double standard. Maybe FFL's get a lower rate. In that case, sending the gun to the refinishing facility might be more thrifty if going out through a local FFL. They shouldn't have a fee for that because there may not be any paperwork, but you might have to give them five bucks for their trouble. According to my FFL, however, anytime an FFL takes possession of a gun, paperwork is required, even if they aren't buying the gun (eg, consignment). This MIGHT mean you have to hang out in his store until the UPS guy comes. I don't know. Just speculating.

Website for Fords'?

I'm wondering if they could bring "Frankenstein's Mistress" back from the dead.

Photo bling.
Man........ wow wee wow wee ......... that turned out nice.
Understatement of the week.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Sure was, when I was a youngun my Dad and I were dedicated viewers of Burke's Law. Just loved that Rolls.

Just beautiful! I have a pre-Model 29 that I have owned for 45 years that is about 75% blue. I am thinking about sending it to them for rebluing. Like you I'm going to let the drop in re-sale go to my heirs. I also have a M-57 8 3/8 and a M-58 that will be with me to the end. Thanks for the tip and for sharing your experience!

Man, they did a beautiful job on your model 57. And you are making me have a hard decision to make too.

I have a model 27-2 I bought a few years ago as a shooter and it has a non-factory nickel job done on it. And the nickel plating is flaking at the end of the barrel, so I've been thinking hard on sending it out to get refinished back in nickel. I've been thinking of sending it back to S&W for the job, but looking at that job Ford's did on yours, they look to be a viable choice too. I might go the S&W route and see how their nickel finish compares to the Ford's finish you got done.

Yes. That said, the cost rises above that for refinishing. They brought a friend's pre-war Magnum back from VERY DEAD (structural damage) to simply gorgeous. That likely cost in excess of $1,000 (and took a looooooooong time), and I think the refinish charge at that time was considerably less than half that. I know they told him they hoped he wouldn't send another one like that.

Ralph Tremaine

Wow! That is purdy.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

That's the right attitude to have when you're doing something like this. You're looking at the future of the gun, itself, in a non-monetary way...plus you've had the work done with a specific purpose in mind.

I'm sure the gun will be a source of pride and memories for generations to come.

In the car show game, this is known as "overrestored."
So what do you ask Ford's for if you just want it to look like new?
They have "deluxe," "Ford," and "master" blue, so is "Ford" blue comparable to S&W blue?
Looks like the only choices for plating are brush or matte or way shiny like the OP's.

Colt has the same problem. Ask them for a Royal Blue and you get something a lot shinier than my 1970s Python was when new.

That is a beautiful 57 to say the least. I understand your not be concerned with resale value. My 2 Pythons are the same. Both also made in 1978 the year I graduated high school. My Pythons stay with me and will be passed to my brother when I check out.

You may already have the answer---never mind you don't know what you know. If the terms "deluxe", "Ford", and "master" all came from them, then you're ahead of me already. I haven't paid any attention to Fords for years---having had no need. (Their term "master" is the only one I know/recall.) "Shinier" comes from the degree of polish---the grit used. If this terminology comes from them, then they know not only what those grits are, e.g. 400, 600, 800---whatever; but more importantly, also what they translate to in terms of more shiny/less shiny.

In years past when I've been asked essentially this same question---"How do I get something that looks more like factory and less like a piece of jewelry?", I've simply told them to tell Fords to stop polishing sooner. Now, when "sooner" is is a question for Fords. They'll know what degree of grit/polish is going to match/come closest to matching S&W's finish---and accordingly, when to stop polishing. Or possibly in this case, which choice you should make------"deluxe", "Ford", or "Master".

Ralph Tremaine

I've only had two guns refinished in my lifetime. Both were what I call S&W's matte blue when they left Springfield---and I wanted "Bright Blue". I could have had "Bright Blue" at the outset, but that was a special order----and I was told it would take six months. I didn't want to wait. I bought what was in front of me, and shipped it back for refinishing. I had "Bright Blue" in a couple of weeks.

As already stated in numerous previous posts, that is stunning! I'm a big fan of the 41 Mag, but not so much of nickel, but oh my, is that nice. As I'm in the final stages of getting ready to ship one out for a reblue and looking for recommendations, I appreciate your sharing this quality work! Thanks again and best of luck with it! Bill in MA

I don't usually like nickel guns, I've been changing my mind as of late. I think my next purchase is gonna be nickel.

Looks awesome! I have a 28-2 with them right now. It was nickled at somepoint after it left S&W, but it was cloudy and chipping off at the muzzle. Ford's is redoing it in the proper matte blue. They have had it since June. I really can't wait to get it back! Helps that the only money I have in it is about half of the cost at Ford's (a friend got me a gift certificate to get me to have it reblued). Thinking about getting a set of those Altamont cokes for it.

Ok, being charitable, I’m uncouth. I looked through their website. Approximate cost to reblue a 17-2?

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Just hanging with my dogs

UPS and FedEx charge you for a gun because they can! Fed regs state ONLY an FFL can ship a firearm via USPS! Therefore a private party must ship via FedEx or UPS and the Fed Regs state you must tell the shipper what he is shipping! Deep in the fine print of the FedEx and UPS regs there is a clause that a firearm must ship by Overnight shipment, so they charge what ever they feel like charging that day!
jcelect

Extremely nice! Stunningly beautiful!

That’s good to (finally) know.

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Just hanging with my dogs

Thanks, Ralph! If I followed this correctly, you shipped the the factory guns back to S&W for the refinish. Did I get that right? Do you, or does anybody else out there have any experience with S&W's refinishing of an abused gun? I just picked up a Model 49 (no dash) with a J-prefix serial number in the low 200K range. The gun appears sound in all mechanics, but like most of the breed, it spent most of its life in a holster or pocket and has some rust and what I'd describe as light pitting on the top strap and upper frame. I'm planning on using it as a carry gun, but I'd like to clean up the cosmetics a bit. It looks as if it started with the S&W Bright Blue. S&W's website quotes $275 for "High Bright Polish," exactly the same as Ford's "Ford" blue. Any recommendations?
BTW, Ralph, I did finish one set of replica grips for the Straight Line, not perfect, didn't exactly reproduce the reverse teardrop profile, but close. I got busy with work and moving, but I'm about 10 days retired and relocated to Prescott, AZ now, so I'll have time for a second try, as soon as I get my shop set up. Thanks again!

Jim Rickett

Three years ago my friend sent in a rusted and pitted 29-5, which also had major mechanical issues.The factory repaired and re blued in their standard finish.The gun came back looking new.The only drawback is the jet black blue they currently use is known to be a little delicate against certain solvents.

Goodness, I cannot sit straight.

I know it's off topic, but the rule applies to non longarms. A non FFL can ship long arms through USPS.

Yes---both guns back to S&W---more than a few years ago.

Abused gun-----my only experience was with a pre-war Magnum (very abused), and I have only the back half of the story---having not seen the gun before it went back to be resurrected. The (re) finish was of the matte blue variety---very matte. I suspect the surface was glass bead peened (maybe even shot peened---possibly both) rather than polished. I suspect that was done to create as even an appearing surface as possible after they had dealt with the all but the worst of the irregularities as best they could. It was a nice looking gun---just not shiny. This was 20+ years ago, and I don't know what they do/can do/will do these days. I've seen Fords take fugitives from a junk yard, and bring them back----recut logos and lettering---the whole nine yards. This sort of work is not inexpensive.

I'm glad the grips worked out for you---the second time around will be easier.

Ralph Tremaine

Thank you for all the kind words!

For me, I think if you are getting refinishing done, especially blueing, Ford’s might even be a better choice than the factory lately if it is a gun you are planning on keeping. They told me they won’t release one unless it looks like something they would put in their own gun case. And now I sure do believe it.

I prefer the blue of the older S&Ws than the blackish finish they now use, and it did not have a problem with common gun solvents. They would be a huge factor in my decision, but that’s just me and we all think differently.

I’ll bet that after some shooting and holster time it will look just like a factory nickle job; my .44 29-3 nickle finish is very similar, and the Ford’s finish actually looks a little crisper in person.

I’m not knocking a factory S&W nickle finish, though! I wanted to be clear on that. These are beautiful guns, no doubt about it, and I sure am glad they make them.

I hope this is on-topic! I checked and Ford's is not registered with Ship-My-Gun. If they were, then a shipping label for up to two pounds wouldn't be costly at all. I have only shipped, before, to S&W and Ruger - and IIRC the cost was around $35. From what I have seen - taking a revolver directly to UPS (without buying a label ahead of time) and shipping to Ford's FFL address could run as much as $75. Can anyone weigh in on this - please feel free to correct my ignorance here!

I need a ffl to ship my guns for repairs or refinishing. Factor in that cost.

I have a m28 no dash 6” barrel and a new unshot m29-10 6 1/2” barrel I’d like to have both redone in nickel. After the holidays. Fords work does look good.

To me, if bluing work is required, Ford's would get the nod over the Smith & Wesson factory. IMO, their current bluing process looks ok but lacks the durability the previous hot salts bath blue and the Carbonia oven/charcoal & oil blue provided. There are those who feel that Ford's highest polish blue is actually more shiny than the factory's and is therefore not actually a restoration of the finish. If your desire is a restoration of the finish you can always ask for the polish to be rolled back a click. As good as Ford's work is, they cannot replicate either the color or depth of color of the pre 1978 Carbonia Blue. A couple of firms who do charcoal blue claim they can get real close however.

An FFL dealer can ship a handgun USPS Priority Mail to another FFL for a very reasonable amount. If an FFL dealer ships a handgun UPS or FedEx, it must go overnight air. The only exception to this is very large firms such as Smith & Wesson who have negotiated a very low rate for shipping. Therefore, many times your FFL is by far the least expensive handgun shipping option. I have seen small dealers ship handguns FFL-FFL via UPS or FedEx ground or 2nd day air. This is a violation of the shippers policy. This is all well and good right up to the point that something is lost or damaged. The insurer will refuse to pay a claim for a package shipped outside of the shippers policy.

Bruce

And Bruce said:
I know you guys are right. It just seems weird that the shippers can selectively enforce or selectively ignore the policy. This only encourages people to be untruthful about what it is they're shipping, and I don't want to do that.

When I owned a guitar store, I would receive instrument deliveries from Fedex worth $1000 or more all the time, and they were insured. I know because if any came damaged, it was taken care of. But anytime I tried to ship a guitar of this value back to the manufacturer for repairs, Fedex would say, "Nope, we can't insure guitars for more than $500." Someone at Fedex was lying to me.

Unless there is something specific in the shipper's regulations or interstate commerce law, I do believe that somebody was lying. I would think you can insure for any amount you want within the shipper's insurance carrier's limits. However, in the case or loss or damage you would be required to prove that value in order to settle the claim.

Bruce

FedEx came to my house and picked up a handgun this past Saturday.

Twas shipped FedEx Ground.. lt'll be coming BACK to my door too:-)

S&W is paying BOTH ways.. lt aint even a Smith either

Nothing but an excellent experience with them. They did not try to upsell me but rather told me the standard blue was the right choice for a Marlin waffle top, they were right, and saved me $. If you have a Colt & want that old Colt deep blue, they are your boys. Still thinking (dreaming) of getting the owners manual removed & a master blue on a 2 3/4" speed six. I know, spend more on the improvements than the gun??? The grips??? I THINK it will look good.

Nice! How did you get them to do that? I sent one in on their dime but they charged me $45.00 to send it back to me. And it WAS a Smith!