CONTINUING SAGA OF FORD'S

[m-1911]

Here is the latest update on my attempts to get a hammer and trigger for a 2nd Model 44 color case hardened. Here is a recap:I called them in August to get a price for the work, they quoted me $75 with return shipping. The parts were sent by Priority Mail on August 28. They quoted me a 4 to 6 week turnaround. The check was cashed on October 10. In early December I called to check on the status, the person I spoke with did not have that information but they assured me that they would call me the next day with the information. Of course, no return phone call. So with the holidays coming I let it slide. This past Monday, January 7, I called again in the afternoon, and spoke with a man, I told him I was tired of their poor service and I wanted the parts returned with a full refund immediately. He could not locate the parts, but told me that one of the girls in the office would call me "first thing on Tuesday". Yeah right!! That has to be the fourth biggest lie, right behind "the check is in the mail", "I can get it for you wholesale" and the third one which we all know. So yesterday I sent them a FAX with a copy of my cancelled check and a note requesting the return of my parts. Still no reponse!! I guess I will call them again later today.

UPDATE - GOOD NEWS. I just called Ford's again and they checked and the parts were sent to the Color Case Co, in Ohio on October 25. Ford's called Color Case to find out where the parts were and called me back. The parts are done, and will be shipped to FOrd's overnight and they will overnight them to me. So.............. maybe I will soon have the parts back so I can put the gun back together again. I'll post pics when the parts get here

 

[m-1911]

Here is the latest update on my attempts to get a hammer and trigger for a 2nd Model 44 color case hardened. Here is a recap:I called them in August to get a price for the work, they quoted me $75 with return shipping. The parts were sent by Priority Mail on August 28. They quoted me a 4 to 6 week turnaround. The check was cashed on October 10. In early December I called to check on the status, the person I spoke with did not have that information but they assured me that they would call me the next day with the information. Of course, no return phone call. So with the holidays coming I let it slide. This past Monday, January 7, I called again in the afternoon, and spoke with a man, I told him I was tired of their poor service and I wanted the parts returned with a full refund immediately. He could not locate the parts, but told me that one of the girls in the office would call me "first thing on Tuesday". Yeah right!! That has to be the fourth biggest lie, right behind "the check is in the mail", "I can get it for you wholesale" and the third one which we all know. So yesterday I sent them a FAX with a copy of my cancelled check and a note requesting the return of my parts. Still no reponse!! I guess I will call them again later today.

UPDATE - GOOD NEWS. I just called Ford's again and they checked and the parts were sent to the Color Case Co, in Ohio on October 25. Ford's called Color Case to find out where the parts were and called me back. The parts are done, and will be shipped to FOrd's overnight and they will overnight them to me. So.............. maybe I will soon have the parts back so I can put the gun back together again. I'll post pics when the parts get here

 

[mikepriwer]

Gary

So - why not just send the parts to Color Case Co. yourself ?

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[m-1911]

Mike

That is exactly what I will do the next time. Cut out the middle man.

 

[GLL]

Gary:

Please post photos of the work when it arrives.

I have a nice blue 3 1/2" pre-27 that someone nickeled the hammer and trigger. It needs help.

Jerry

 

[Art Doc]

It's possible that the place in Ohio only does work for dealers and might not accept work from individuals. It's also possible that Ford's needed a minimum number of parts to send and the delay was in waiting for the parts to be sent in to them for refinishing.

$75 is cheap for genuine case hardening.

It was some poor customer service, though.

 

[m-1911]

Jerry

This what happened to these parts, the hammer and trigger were nickled, so I wanted the nickle stripped off and re cased. I will post pics when the parts arrive.

 

[DHENRY]

Gary,
The recasing their supplier has done for me is absolutely superb.
You will be pleased by the colors and the finish quality.
Check out the hammer on the gun below.
Don

 

[jeremyws1]

Originally posted by DHENRY:
The recasing their supplier has done for me is absolutely superb.

+1 on the 1954 K-38 I sent to them

 

[2152hq]

Color Case Co in Ohio does not do any polishing, repair, plateing stripping work, etc. Just case color hardening on pre-polished parts. It's a one man operation, the owner is Don Menk and has been in business for probably 30+ years. He has a quick turn around of about 2 weeks or less on most every job (in my experience over the years). His C/C is actually hardened too, unlike some purveyors of the trade that give you color but little or in some cases no hardeness at all. No website.
Another C/C sourse is Classic Guns, owner John Gillette. Recently moved location, but up an running again AFAIK. Highly recommended by alot of engravers and gunsmiths. Check with them first, but used to do small single pieces like hammers and triggers (color case harden) for $25 each - pre polished. They will do the polishing and complete restorations.
http://www.classicgunsinc.com/index.html
Stripping existing nickel finish and polishing (probably annealing) before C/H would most certainly add considerably to that.

 

[arfmel]

thanks 2152hq

 

[mwc]

so is the general consensus that ford's is still a upstanding place to have stuff refinished (bluing in particular)?

 

[m-1911]

Here is the end of the saga. On Wednesday Ford's confirmed that the hammer and trgger were sitting at the Color Case Co. and were finished. Somehow it seems they had fallen through the cracks. Color Case overnighted them to Ford's and they overnighted them to me. They were very apologetic and did not charge for shipping. After all the problems, I would have to say the results were worth waiting for. These parts came out of a non factory nickeled 2nd Model 44 HE. The hammer and trigger were gold plated. The nickel platiung was a really nice job. Now I have to put it back together

 

[Plottman Pops]

Well worth the wait!!

 

[jeremyws1]

Originally posted by m-1911:
Somehow it seems they had fallen through the cracks.

Ford's does nice work, but the comment above is COMMON. Your trigger and hammer look great!

 

[j38]

Gary, The trigger and hammer do look great! It's too bad it took so long - and cost you so much extra effort. Regards, Jerry

 

[m-1911]

Well, all is well that turns out well. I got the parts back in the gun and it looks a whole lot better than it did with the 'pimped out" gold hammer and trigger. I think gold hammers and trigers are even worse than nickel ones.

 

[Dan M]

Gary,

They look great.

Being a Nickle Fanatic myself I have had several guns replated and then some un-plated. Most Chrome shops will dip your parts for you while you wait, to strip existing nickle off of the parts.
Takes all of about 15 minutes and shouldnt cost anymore than 30 bucks for small parts, whole guns cost me $50 to strip. then your parts would just need to polished/prepped for your CCH contractor. Just a thought

Dan M

 

[m-1911]

Originally posted by Dan M:
Gary,

They look great.

Being a Nickle Fanatic myself I have had several guns replated and then some un-plated. Most Chrome shops will dip your parts for you while you wait, to strip existing nickle off of the parts.
Takes all of about 15 minutes and shouldnt cost anymore than 30 bucks for small parts, whole guns cost me $50 to strip. then your parts would just need to polished/prepped for your CCH contractor. Just a thought

Dan M

Here is a pic of the gun all back together

 

[ArgMauser]

Originally posted by DHENRY:
Check out the hammer on the gun below.
Don

I know that I am butting in, but that gun, grip, etc. is a real beauty. Just love it. Even Sarah Brady would love that gun.
--ArgMauser