gold inlay removal???

[toad67]

Have a mint 19-3 that someone inlaid the stamping with gold, and I highly doubt that it is real. How does one go about removing it so that it goes back to its original condition? Thanks in advance.

[Ray1970]

Seems slightly odd. Sure it didn’t come that way?

My first step would probably be to try some acetone and a q-tip and see if it comes out.

[JH1951]

Exactly what Ray1970 suggested.
If it's paint, it will likely come off. If it's real gold, it won't budge. My bet is in paint.

[toad67]

Originally Posted by Ray1970

Seems slightly odd. Sure it didn’t come that way?

My first step would probably be to try some acetone and a q-tip and see if it comes out.

No, I'm not sure it came that way, but have never seen another one that did. The 2 piece box is marked B-T for the finish..

[Sevens]

The Texas Rangers Commemorative was a 19-3 and it definitely came with gold inlay, but I think you would know if that is what you had. It also had a TR—serial prefix.

The SCSW claims there were some 19-3 over runs for that model that share some features of the Texas Rangers gun, but it doesn’t list specifics.

I would guess that the half-shaved trigger guard is one of those features.

[toad67]

Originally Posted by Sevens

The Texas Rangers Commemorative was a 19-3 and it definitely came with gold inlay, but I think you would know if that is what you had. It also had a TR—serial prefix.

The SCSW claims there were some 19-3 over runs for that model that share some features of the Texas Rangers gun, but it doesn’t list specifics.

I would guess that the half-shaved trigger guard is one of those features.

Mine must not be one of those, since it has a 69K serial number prefix. Thanks for the info though..

[BigBill]

Before I knew better I did a revolver with the bonanza real gold dust inlay kit about 1975. It did come off with gun solvent. The clear coating the kit comes with doesn’t hold up. I think I have two of the gold inlay kits left. Try soaking it with solvent mine came off little by little.

Food for thought,
The kit instructions is first wash the area to be inlaid with gold. Rubbing Alcohol, let dry, then add the glue wipe off the excess, apply the gold dust. Let the glue dry, then add the clear. At the time I thought it looked cool. I learned what was new in ‘75 wasn’t collectable but fast forward to today it’s collectable.

[JDinAZ]

If it was mine. I’d try MEK. I buy it in gallons but if memory serves me I saw it at Ace Hardware in a quart size for about 10 bucks. It cuts most anything. A small test spot under stocks on grip frame to make sure there’s no other coating etc that will get eaten would be the first thing I’d do to make sure it doesn’t create any finish problems. It’ll strip a clear coat or wax job off in a hurry.

[Philly5150]

Use Hoppe's #9 solvent.
I bought a a 29-2 last year that had gold inlay in all the stampings. Some Hoppe's and a toothbrush took it right out with almost no effort.

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[6518John]

See post 6 is this thread—I bet this is what you have on your gun—

Slide inlay colors?

[mikerjf]

Mercury dissolves gold. Not sure what else, and poison, so be careful!

[ace22]

Originally Posted by BigBill

Before I knew better I did a revolver with the bonanza real gold dust inlay kit about 1975. It did come off with gun solvent. The clear coating the kit comes with doesn’t hold up. I think I have two of the gold inlay kits left. Try soaking it with solvent mine came off little by little.

yeah the gold inlay thing was fairly popular in the early-mid 80s too. i recall seeing a guy set up with a table at a gun show around that time that offered to do gold inlays on people's guns.
if my memory is correct he had some gold type powder that he would rub over the stampings with a rag then rub off the excess.
personally if it's factory inlay i'm fine with it but i was never a fan of adding it to other guns.

[bgrafsr]

The engraved Colt SAA that I bought had the "gold" inlay in some of the engraving. It looked tacky, so I removed it with acetone, a cleaning brush, and a brass bore brush. Didn't hurt the bluing at all, and the gun looks much better now.

[toad67]

Put some Butch's bore cleaner on it since I didn't happen to have any acetone on hand, lit the bbq, opened a beer, and had some good pork chops and salad for dinner. Went to look at it when done, all the gold had lifted, and it looks perfect. Thanks to all for the suggestions

[BigBill]

There you go. For some reason the clear coat melts off. Been there done that. I may put My bonanza gold kits on GI.

[wetdog]

Here's what it looked like back in the mid 70s.

[merl67]

If you have nail polish remover (acetone) try that on a cue tip bet it comes right off remember to re oil your revolver afterwards.

[BigBill]

Originally Posted by wetdog

Here's what it looked like back in the mid 70s.

That’s my two boxes I wonder how much gold is in it. I think gold is $2 k ounce. My son was panning in a local river.

[wetdog]

What is bronze going for an oz. ? My container is still almost full.

[Abbynormal]

Soak a rag with acetone. Put it on the barrel where the gold is in the lettering and let it set. The acetone won't harm the blueing.

Let it sit there for about 15-20 minutes and then dip a toothbrush in acetone and begin brushing the lettering from different angles. Occaisionally wipe the area with a wetted acetone rag until the gold is gone

Wipe the gun dry, oil it and you are GTG.