Gold Lettering on 27-2

[tritonboy2001]

All,

I have a 27-2, very nice condition, little use if any at all. I don't have the box. My question is, I noticed all the factory engraving is in gold. Has anyone ever seen this? I know from the S&W catalog the gun was produced in 77-78 with serial # starting with a N. Any help would be appreciated..

 

[Alk8944]

All,

I have a 27-2, very nice condition, little use if any at all. I don't have the box. My question is, I noticed all the factory engraving is in gold. Has anyone ever seen this? I know from the S&W catalog the gun was produced in 77-78 with serial # starting with a N. Any help would be appreciated..

Many thousands of handguns of all makes have lettering, etc. that has been filled with gold. The most common product used is called "Bonanza Gold" (comes in Silver too) which is nothing more than gold colored "Bronzing powder" applied in a lacquer or resin binder. If you don't like it you can remove it with acetone or fingernail polish remover and an old toothbrush. Most toothbrushes are not affected by acetone. Just keep it off the stocks.

And, before you ask as everyone inevitably does, acetone will not affect the bluing, it is not paint as many seem to think. No organic solvent will affect it!

 

[Abbynormal]

Soak a patch with acetone and let it sit over the lettering for a few minutes.
Then take old tooth brush and dip in acetone and start scrubbing.
Continue until gold is gone.

 

[tritonboy2001]

Fellas,

Thanks for the replies. I am not looking to remove it ( I like it, makes it pop, looks good). I was hoping to find out if it was done aftermarket or did it come from factory this way? My bad, sorry I should have stated this in my original post. However, good to know how to remove it if I choose, thanks for the info, much appreciated.

 

[Alk8944]

Fellas,

Thanks for the replies. I am not looking to remove it ( I like it, makes it pop, looks good). I was hoping to find out if it was done aftermarket or did it come from factory this way? My bad, sorry I should have stated this in my original post. However, good to know how to remove it if I choose, thanks for the info, much appreciated.

That was the assumption because virtually every time someone asks about the gold fill they want to know how to get rid of it. I'm with you, I like it and fill many of my guns either white or gold depending on finish. If I sell one I do remove it because it turns off so many people.

 

[wetdog]

Here's what it looked like. Sorry, looks like the bucket has caught up to me.

 

[tipoc]

It's quite common to find gold lettering on many of the older guns because in the 60s and through to the 80s it was a "thing" to do and many shooters thought it added a touch of personal class, or flair to a gun. Gold and white were the most common, with silver coming up third based on what I saw. Articles in gun mags used to tutor folks on how to do a neat job of it.

It's getting less common on the older guns as they have passed through multiple hands and some folks have removed it. It always makes me smile to see it though, as it's kinda a tip off that a previous owner cared for the piece and took some pride in it.

tipoc

 

[gwpercle]

I wonder just how much that Bonanza Gold Filling increases the value of your gun ? A cool bit of optomistic advertising !
Thanks for posting wetdog.....I hadn't seen one of those kits in a long time.
Gary

 

[tipoc]

A demonstration of gold inlay by Reid Coffield.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M-QHLtdpW8[/ame]

"I wonder just how much that Bonanza Gold Filling increases the value of your gun ? "

Zero. Neither does it detract.

tipoc

 

[hardcase60]

Have seen some revolvers and a plethora of semi-auto pistols and long guns with the color filled lettering. On some it looks great on others not so much. On the "not so much" it could be due to the application method or just that it didn't do anything for the looks of said gun. Now I'm wondering what Tester's Gloss Black would look like on a SS Model 64???
Don't worry, I know my mind ain't right. LOL, hardcase60

 

[bananaman]

Fellas,

Thanks for the replies. I am not looking to remove it ( I like it, makes it pop, looks good). I was hoping to find out if it was done aftermarket or did it come from factory this way? My bad, sorry I should have stated this in my original post. However, good to know how to remove it if I choose, thanks for the info, much appreciated.

I still have some Bonanza Gold in my furnace room! I saw it there recently. Probably had it for 30 years. Used it on 1 shotgun! Bob

 

[Tom_R]

A few years ago i saw a real nice Model 27-2 that had the goldfill done on the "Made in USA Marcus Registradas..." as well as on the barrel.

I thought it actually looked really nice.