Model 39-2 factory finish

DogBytesMan · Sep 1, 2020

I did try to research this question but didn't quite find the answer I was looking for, my apologies if my search skills are poor.

I have a really beat-up Model 39-2 on the way to me, and I want to play around with refinishing it. I know the slide is blued and the frame is anodized (it's aluminum, not one of the steel ones), but is there an expert here who can tell me what finish was put on all the smaller parts (trigger, hammer, safety, barrel, barrel bushing, etc.)? If I was to guess I would have assumed they were all blued, but I want to return the pistol to as close to the factory finish as possible. Again, doing this just for fun and to hopefully have a beautiful pistol when done.

Thank you in advance for any help!
Brad

banger · Sep 2, 2020

The smaller parts were given a hot blue finish.

Although the barrels were blued, the barrel hoods were polished white and left that way.

Slides were a medium polish on the sides, but bead blasted on the tops and the rear.

Triggers were bright polished, but the safeties were matte finished.

Hammers were bright blued on the sides, but matte on the top and rear.

There are many nuances to be wary of if you want it correct.

DogBytesMan · Sep 2, 2020

Thank you so much! I had wondered which parts were matte - - I remember seeing nice ones at gun shows and thinking there were matte finishes somewhere.
Thanks again!
Brad

cmansguns · Sep 2, 2020

some pics of 1977 39-2 for comparison

OP; don't know your serial number, or if different years can make a difference as to finishes on all parts, but just for your comparison, mine is serial no. A 434XXX (1977) and it came to me with original box and docs, so it was very lightly used and all original.

Maybe the pics will help you decide what gets re-finished and how.

Remember to take some before and after pics for posting here on the forum....we like to see project work results as well as prime specimen pics.

gmborkovic · Sep 2, 2020

Hello Brad, sounds like a good project. What are your plans for the frame?

DogBytesMan · Sep 2, 2020

Thanks for asking and please don't laugh, but I'm going to try a DIY anodizing on it. That's something I have not added to my shop yet so I'm researching feverishly on the web. I figured if I mess that up I could always Cerakote/Duracoat it. I definitely still want to be able to shoot it afterwards! One thing I have not searched for in this forum is anodizing so after I do that I may pop back in here to apologize that my idea was insane.

DogBytesMan · Sep 2, 2020

Thanks, Charlie B! I should be picking it up in a day or two and I'll get back here with the serial number and date. Thank you also for the pictures!!
Brad

VASCAR2 · Sep 3, 2020

I bought a used 439 with a rough finish with a “LOT” of holster wear. The anodized frame had wear from the metal shank in a duty holster. I used rubbing alcohol to clean the frame prior to using Birchwood Casey Aluminum black anodizing. The finished frame looks more dull but did pretty good.

I used cold blue to touch up the slide. I used rubbing alcohol to clean the metal prior to refinish. I warmed the metal slide with a hair dryer then used a cotton swab to apply the cold blue. Follow the instructions on the bottle. The heat really helps with using this type of repair and was a trick a friend/gunsmiths used in his shop with good results.

I’m satisfied how my 439 turned out. For a beater range gun it made the appearance better and still very serviceable.

Not the best picture but here is my 439 after the touchup blueing and anodizing the frame.

DogBytesMan · Sep 3, 2020

Thanks, Vascar2, that looks great! I didn't know Birchwood Casey made that product, I'll give it a try!
Brad

gmborkovic · Sep 3, 2020

Its amazing how talented we members are. A little time, talent and patience can be rewarding. Good job.

Model 39-2 factory finish

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