Best place to have a 1940's vintage Detectives Special restored

Cruiser RN

Cruiser RN

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My Instructor went to Heaven after a brief bout with Pancreatic Cancer.I will be acquiring the first gun he ever brought to the range specifically for me to shoot being a revolver person.It is a Colt Detectives Special in 38 Cal he used as his back up gun when he was a PO.I would like to have it reblued and brought to factory specifications so that I my use it as one of my carry guns in honor of him.To me this gun is absolutely priceless because of the memories associated with it.Your learned counsel will be greatly appreciated and yes pictures will be provided when this project is completed.......God Bless You All........Mike,aka Cruiser RN.
 
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My Instructor went to Heaven after a brief bout with Pancreatic Cancer.I will be acquiring the first gun he ever brought to the range specifically for me to shoot being a revolver person.It is a Colt Detectives Special in 38 Cal he used as his back up gun when he was a PO.I would like to have it reblued and brought to factory specifications so that I my use it as one of my carry guns in honor of him.To me this gun is absolutely priceless because of the memories associated with it.Your learned counsel will be greatly appreciated and yes pictures will be provided when this project is completed.......God Bless You All........Mike,aka Cruiser RN.
 
A lot of folks will jump in here, and tell you not to have the gun refinished, as it will destroy any collector value. With your particular gun, I wouldn't have it done, as it has honest wear, and apparently has a value, to you, way beyond the monetary. If you do decide to have it refinished, I'd send it back to Colt. That's where I send all the ones that people tell me not to have refinished.
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Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
I my use it as one of my carry guns in honor of him. To me this gun is absolutely priceless because of the memories associated with it.Mike,aka Cruiser RN.
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You have already stated all the reasons you should leave it "as is". His memory is in the gun as it sits, not what you can make it look like. I STRONGLY VOTE...LEAVE IT ALONE.
 
I would kind of split the difference. If it is in proper functioning condition, leave as is. If it needs work, send it back to Colt and have the whole thing done. If you want to have it refinished anyway, I'd still go with Colt on this. I have a 30's vintage DS, it's a great gun.
 
I do not believe that anyone can guarantee a perfect re-bluing or refinish job. You could have it done, but why take the chance. If it does get messed up, you have no options, repeat, no options. In my opion, if you respect and honor the former owner, leave the gun alone. Would you have old pictures of him touched up to make him look young?
 
Colt will do a good job for you, and you can also pay a few extra $ for a deep polish and bright blue job.
If you love the gun, Just do what feels right to you.
From what I read, It seems like you are not going to try and sell it for 400 bucks, So keep it and be happy!
You can call Colt and ask them about $s
 
If it was just some gun you picked up and wanted to make pretty, then I would say go for it.

However, this isn't just some gun - this is a part of your instructor's history and your history with him. If you refinsh it, it will no longer have that history. It will be just another detective special that somebody had reblued.

Please think long and hard about this before you do something irreversible. I don't want you to look back with regret.
 
Colt. They are also among the few who can keep their guns timed tight. I HOPE they still do this work.

T-Star
 
When I was reading the responses I must say it will be a better tribute to just leave it as is.That being said I will just send it to Colt for a factory tune up to make sure it is totally functional because I plan on shooting it quite often.Thank you all for your learned input.....God Bless......Mike
 
Well, I'm for refinishing unlike the vast majority. My first choice is Colt. My second choice would be a reputable gunsmith. If you take it to a reputable gunsmith ask to see samples of his work, if he's any good he won't be offended.

I've had guns refinished by Colt and others by S&W. And . . . I've never regretted it.

The people telling you not to do this have had it hammered into their heads that refinishing is bad. The English routinely send their guns back to the manufacture for maintenance which includes a reblueing. Why some consider it bad here is beyond me.

This is the reason I won't buy any more S&W blue guns. The blueing is not long lasting. I honestly think they'd be better off spray painting their guns.
 
Hi I think you are missing the point of the respondents.I am buying this gun for its pure sentimental value,solely because it was the first gun my instructor ever brought to the range for me specifically to shoot because I would appreciate it being a revolver guy.At first I thought rebluing it and carrrying it would be a tribute to him, but they helped me realize ,IN THIS SPECIFIC CASE SOLELY FOR ME,keeping the holsterware and "dings" are what made it his gun.Noone was saying that rebluing is bad,just that if I were to do it to this gun it may turn out badly for me.They would be right and the more I think about it that point is rammed home.He would clean his guns"Once a year wheather they needed it or not".....Thanks to all once again and God Bless........Mike
Originally posted by J Dzurinda:
Well, I'm for refinishing unlike the vast majority. My first choice is Colt. My second choice would be a reputable gunsmith. If you take it to a reputable gunsmith ask to see samples of his work, if he's any good he won't be offended.

I've had guns refinished by Colt and others by S&W. And . . . I've never regretted it.

The people telling you not to do this have had it hammered into their heads that refinishing is bad. The English routinely send their guns back to the manufacture for maintenance which includes a reblueing. Why some consider it bad here is beyond me.

This is the reason I won't buy any more S&W blue guns. The blueing is not long lasting. I honestly think they'd be better off spray painting their guns.
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i have blued guns that are just beautiful and are 50+ years old...i dont "honestly think" S&w will consider "spray painting" their fine firearms in the near future
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Originally posted by Cruiser RN:
Hi I think you are missing the point of the respondents.I am buying this gun for its pure sentimental value,solely because it was the first gun my instructor ever brought to the range for me specifically to shoot because I would appreciate it being a revolver guy.At first I thought rebluing it and carrrying it would be a tribute to him, but they helped me realize ,IN THIS SPECIFIC CASE SOLELY FOR ME,keeping the holsterware and "dings" are what made it his gun.Noone was saying that rebluing is bad,just that if I were to do it to this gun it may turn out badly for me.........Mike
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Funny but one of the guns I had reblued was a Python carried by my favorite uncle a FL police officer. He introduced me to handguns. The gun was carried daily by him and left for me when he died.

It is really a tribute to him now all rebuilt and looking like the day it left the Colt factory.
 
Send it in for a tune up now. Take your time to think it over, one year year from the day perhaps?

How about a photo of the Colt?

Mike
 
I have had several refinished, and am very pleased I did so. I prefer "pretty guns."

In England, top quality ($100k) Purdeys and H&H shotguns are regularly sent back to their makers for tuning and refinishing.

JERRY
 
I first thought restoring the Special to new condition would be a testiment to the esteem I hold him in.But as I read the various posts I would remember him saying that "I clean the guns once a year weather they need it or not"and he was always perplexed why my guns "were kept so clean you could eat off of them".Those memories scream to me that he wouldn't want me to remove the holsterware or dings.Hopefully he will smile when he sees me shooting his gun and acting as RSO at his range with the DS as my sidearm.One thing I can always count on is the excellent input of all the forum members when I present a question that required learned,intelligent and loving input. BTW after I purchase the Colt and have it on my pistol license I will proudly post pictures.In NY each pistol is listed on your license and you are only legal to carry those guns.It is a true PITA......God Bless You All....Mike
Originally posted by Sputnik:
Send it in for a tune up now. Take your time to think it over, one year year from the day perhaps?

How about a photo of the Colt?

Mike
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