19-3 2.5 White Lettering

[mackafoose]

Picked this little gem today. In really nice shape, no box. I'm assuming that someone added the white lettering at some point (correct me if I am mistaken) Any suggestion on how to possibly remove it without harming the blueing? Or should I just let it be?
Also year of manufacture? 17K7###
Paid a little more that the $300 in other 19-3 thread. Wow what a great deal on that.

[ameridaddy]

Try denatured alcohol on a rag and Q-tips and toothpicks for the deeper paint first; if it's a water based paint, this will cut it. Next stronger step if needed, try lacquer thinner on a rag, then a Q tips and toothpicks to get deeper in the lettering.
If the lacquer thinner is not dissolving the paint well, move up to acetone.
Don't let any solvent get on your grips. It will damage the finish.
Patience will win out.
Nice piece at a good price - I'm envious!

[Dave from Pa]

A little bit of Hoppes and a tooth brush is all you need.

[Marshal tom]

Just in case you are unaware, you stole that gun at that amazing price. Good Job!

[girvin02]

Acetone works best, in my experience.

[mackafoose]

Thanks for the advice will give it a try soon and post some after pictures. I have a hard time resisting these older wheel guns. I'm amazed that people are getting rid of quality pieces like this that we will never see made again. I also really like the round butt. Ha. More so than the -4 4" I have for carry. Any idea on the year made and what are these going for in this condition?

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by girvin02

Acetone works best, in my experience.

^^^ This. I got a small plastic bottle (100 ml) which has lasted me for years. Stiff-bristle toothbrush should do it; wooden toothpicks on tricky nooks and crannies as recommended above. No danger to blue finishes in my experience.

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

very 1970ish.I used to red letter mine

[wetdog]

I used the gold color back then.

[stansdds]

First of all, you got a 2 1/2 inch barreled 19-3 for a heck of a great price. Second, colored roll marks are the thing of some owners and even some sellers. Collectors and sellers will sometimes use chalk to fill the roll marks, makes them much easier to read. Owners will sometimes fill roll marks with gold or even paint to dress up the firearm.

To remove the fill, see what Ameridaddy wrote as the first response to your question.

[stansdds]

Originally Posted by wetdog

I used the gold color back then.

The box reads, "Increases the value of your gun."

ROTFLMAO!!!!!! Yeah, right, takes a perspective buyer's eyes away from the deep scratches, rust pitting, and cracked stocks. LOL!!!!!!

I've never seen this as a detraction in value and it can look pretty sharp on a well polished and deeply blued firearm, but I never see it as adding value.

[Absalom]

Originally Posted by stansdds

The box reads, "Increases the value of your gun.".

Ah yes. Next step: jewelling or gold-plating the trigger and hammer.

Fortunately, that has largely fallen by the wayside too. The “good old days” weren’t always better.

[sheepdawg]

Like stated, before you use a solvent such as acetone or lacquer thinner take the grips off and put them in another room.