27-2 6” OCD dilemma.. decisions to be made…

[Model29-26.5]

I have a 27-2 6” shooter… side plate scratches and a couple of minor rust spots 85% blue.
There are some nice ones out there.. thinking about getting a nice shooter. Have my eye on one now and bidding.. might get a good deal, we’ll see. But..
There is both a curiosity and somewhat of a “need” (you his how this is) to get my shooter refurbished by the factory and coming back looking like new. High polish blue?? Would be nice to see it as it was in 1972 if I have my dating right

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Purely a matter of taste. Myself, I wouldn't mind having the results of your approach, but you should understand that the consensus seems to be that you will lose money refinishing, period. But that happens only if you sell it, and is because the folks who collect don't like refinished.

There is also an issue of how long the refinished revolver will retain its improved appearance, but that has more to do with daily holster carry than anything else. My experience has been that shooting and cleaning and storing greased have little to no effect on appearance.

If you will like the improved appearance enough to pay for it, I would do it. Stand by for numerous explanations about why it is money down the drain. Their thinking will probably be correct, but may not apply to you.

Enjoy!

 

[murphydog]

The factory refinish will take away the metal defects, but the newer process will be darker and not as durable as the original bluing. I think they do a good job with re-doing guns with the modern process but would be cautious about older guns.

 

[Model29-26.5]

I won’t be shooting it much at all.
I don’t have the time and I have too many revolvers that any one will get a ton of use.
It’ll go to the range once every 4 months a shoot maybe 30 rounds.
Ballpark.
The high polish blue difference between regular polish blue?

Anyone have any pics of that?

 

[Model29-26.5]

Plus.. how much am I going to really lose?
This cost me 705 on GB. With taxes shipping and fees… 820.
So I lose $150?
It’s a hobby and they still have value..
My eyes would rather see a beautifully refinished high polish looking mint than something with bluing missing … scratches etc if it’s not going to be shot a ton.
That said, I’ll see what some jewelers polish, a little flitz and some good blue can do to the rust spots.
Very small an minor.
The scratch plate is the worst offender.,
The rest of the blue can be cold blued.

Tell you what.., I’ll take pics and make a little project out of it.
Perhaps a full rerun of necesssry, but I’ll see what a quick fix will do first

 

[Nightowl]

I would not have anything refinished. The factory, from what I am seeing and hearing, do not use the same bluing as in yesteryear! From my perspective, original finish trumps a refinish almost every time, on normal use guns.

 

[Model29-26.5]

This is going to sound ridiculous, BUT… has anyone ever tried heating up the cold blue solution and applying? Make any difference?
I’ll experiment some on some carbon steel first

 

[GypsmJim]

This is going to sound ridiculous, BUT… has anyone ever tried heating up the cold blue solution and applying? Make any difference?
I’ll experiment some on some carbon steel first

I used cheap bluing for years and then learned about Oxpho Blue (SP). It was a significant improvement over the common off-the-shelf brands.

One time I got an old 1911 and it was almost completely blue-less. I tried a couple of spots and was not happy with the results. Then, I put the gun in the oven along with the bottle and did the whole gun. Oiling it inside and out afterwards of course.

My judgement was that it might have been a tad better, but it certainly was not night and day.

I ended up selling the gun a few years later for twice what I paid, so at least I didn't hurt it any.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

No law says you need to use S&W, which may not be the best choice. Ford's? Even Turnbull? There are probably others.

 

[boykinlp]

I won’t be shooting it much at all.
I don’t have the time and I have too many revolvers that any one will get a ton of use.
It’ll go to the range once every 4 months a shoot maybe 30 rounds.
Ballpark.
The high polish blue difference between regular polish blue?

Anyone have any pics of that?

Since it’s a 27-2, the high polish blue would best replicate the original finish for that gun. At least the best that the S&W factory can presently do.
Larry

 

[murphydog]

From recent observations, the nicer the original factory polishing was retained, the nicer a factory refinish will turn out.

 

[Doc44]

I would have the work done by Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing in Crystal River, FL. I have had a couple of guns done by them and their work is outstanding. They offer Master (high polish) blue, standard blue, chrome, nickel, gold finish, etc.

Bill

 

[Patrick L]

Some people see everything in terms of dollars and cents. Or as I like to say they "know the cost of everything, the value of nothing."

 

[bobsguns]

No law says you need to use S&W, which may not be the best choice. Ford's? Even Turnbull? There are probably others.

Another vote for Turnbull.

I've seen the results of their work & the company is really impressive, IMO.

 

[Hawg Rider]

Plus.. how much am I going to really lose?
This cost me 705 on GB. With taxes shipping and fees… 820.
So I lose $150?
It’s a hobby and they still have value..
My eyes would rather see a beautifully refinished high polish looking mint than something with bluing missing … scratches etc if it’s not going to be shot a ton.
That said, I’ll see what some jewelers polish, a little flitz and some good blue can do to the rust spots.
Very small an minor.
The scratch plate is the worst offender.,
The rest of the blue can be cold blued.

Tell you what.., I’ll take pics and make a little project out of it.
Perhaps a full rerun of necesssry, but I’ll see what a quick fix will do first

It sounds to me like you won't be happy with that revolver until it looks brand spankin' new! It never will. Your best bet may be to sell that revolver, take that money and whatever you were going to spend on refinishing it, and find yourself a mint, ANIB vintage Model 27. You seem to spend plenty of time on GB and other sites, and there are beautiful examples to be found. Also try RIA and other auction sites. But it's your money and your OCD, so good luck with your decision. BTW...I don't believe that Turnbull refinishes S&W revolvers these days.

 

[Model29-26.5]

It sounds to me like you won't be happy with that revolver until it looks brand spankin' new! It never will. Your best bet may be to sell that revolver, take that money and whatever you were going to spend on refinishing it, and find yourself a mint, ANIB vintage Model 27. You seem to spend plenty of time on GB and other sites, and there are beautiful examples to be found. Also try RIA and other auction sites. But it's your money and your OCD, so good luck with your decision. BTW...I don't believe that Turnbull refinishes S&W revolvers these days.

I won’t sell it. I’ll probably just fix it up myself.
Might just use it as the beater I’ve wanted to fix up and polish myself and get my local blue guy to dip it if it needs it.

 

[stansdds]

It's your revolver, do what you will. First, any refinish is not going to return it to the value level of one with a similar condition factory finish. If you are definitely going to have it refinished, S&W will not be able to make it look anywhere near what it looked like when new. Yes, S&W can polish it to the same degree, but the current S&W "blue" is very black looking and not as durable as their 1980-2000 black oxide and definitely does not look like the 1980 to post-WW II Carbonia blue finish. To get a factory look refinish, you are going to spend big bucks at a high end shop.

 

[Capt. F.]

I would not have anything refinished. The factory, from what I am seeing and hearing, do not use the same bluing as in yesteryear! From my perspective, original finish trumps a refinish almost every time, on normal use guns.

I agree. I returned a .38/44 HD 6 1/2” to have it reblued.
I was told by customer service they would do the best they could at trying to make it look original but wouldn’t guarantee it.
Well, it came back reblued but the finish no where near matched the original.
I still have it as it’s an example of the rarer 6 1/2” HD, but is in no way a collector gun

 

[Photog]

Another vote for Turnbull.

I've seen the results of their work & the company is really impressive, IMO.

I did an inquiry a few years back. Two projects, one a S&W M57 for bluing and the other a Colt SAA barrel, cylinder, tigger guard, back strap, ejector rod housing to be nickel plated. At that time, they did not work on S&W revolvers. The Colt on the other hand...well, talk about sticker shock...was quoted at a MINIMUM of $2800 for those 5 pieces. These peices were off a brand new Colt SAA, with no wear, scratches or whatever. I have heard good/bad things about Fords. A poster on the Colt Forum showed pics of his Python that was done by them. I would have been embarrassed to have that leave my company as an example of my work. I have heard good things about Accurate Plating and Weaponry and Glenrock Bluing.

 

[Model29-26.5]

I visited Turnbull when I was up in NY state last month and got a tour around the shop.
Those guys are top notch craftsman and I hen you consider the skill and expertise, time and expenses that go into the work they’re doing, the hourly rate is pretty inexpensive. The work is incredible.
I got a couple of calendars.