Highway Patrolman Refinishing.

[raveneap]

Update. Sent my 28-2 to SW for refinishing 3 months ago - was told about 12 weeks turnaround. Realize they're right out straight in Springfield. Check cleared a couple days ago so I called to check status. Was told it went to refinishing today and would be about a month. Just some info on time table for anyone who's sent or is sending a gun to the factory for refinishing. Their customer service is very friendly as I've always found them to be.

 

[clang444]

Are you getting it re-blued or going with nickel?

How rough was your gun?

How much is S&W charging?

Thanks

 

[raveneap]

Having it reblued, actually closer to black as that's the only blue SW does now. Wanted the hi gloss blue but no longer available apparently due to environmental concerns with the chemicals.

28 was in fair shape cosmetically with some very light rust spots, minimal pitting and a few scratches. Obviously hadn't been kept very well.. Seems fine mechanically.

Quoted price was $234.00 including $14.00 return shipping. Hopefully it won't need ay further work. So, back to waiting.. pics to follow when received.

 

[Silver Dollar]

That price sounds pretty good to me. Don't forget to post some pictures when you get it back. I'd love to see the kind of work they do now.

 

[keninnavarre]

Id be interested in pics, too. Just traded for a 1969 vintage 28-2 with lots of honest holster wear. I wouldn't mind having it refinished.

 

[tlay]

I know it is not the factory but if you want the old blue, try a place like Fords.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

What is the deal with no "Hi Polish" Blue? I thought the main factor of how a blue job turns out is the amount of polishing done before the gun was blued?

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Also has to do with the chemical mix. The bigger/better places mix their own formula I think.

 

[tlay]

I am not sure when but S&W changed the type of bluing that they do. I believe it was do to environmental concerns. Now it looks black instead of the old blue. But you are right, some guns received more polishing than others, such as the model 27 compared to the model 28. Maybe some of the more knowledable people will chime in.

 

[BruceM]

First of all, the Highway Patrolman and later, the Model 28's were given a less polished satin blue than the top of the line revolvers such as the Model 29's and Model 27's which got the top of the line Smith & Wesson "Bright Blue". Secondly, until the mid 1970's, Smith & Wesson used the Carbonia (oven) bluing process which produced that deep, dark finish. After that, they switched over to a more conventional hot salts bath bluing method which is being used to the present day. They have few craftsmen left which can reproduce the level of polish necessary to replicate the "bright blue" and even with that degree of prep work, the color and general appearance of the finished product produced by the hot salts bath just does not match the Carbonia Blue. When you put the two side by side, the difference is immediately (and unfortunately) noticeable.

Bruce

 

[Dave T]

There have been several posts on the "1980 to Present" forum about the poor durability of the current blue jobs from S&W. I would not send a vintage Model 28 (and they're all vintage now) in for a re-blue from the factory.

And that leads to my overall objection to the knee-jerk reaction of most everyone when they acquire a used S&W revolver (and probably other makes and models as well) to immediately have it re-blued. Good grief guys. A little honest wear is not a sin. No one will talk bad about you if your gun shows that it has been used for it's intended purpose...shooting!

Add the OP's $248 price of a re-blue and shipping to the increasingly high prices of Model 28s and you have more invested in the gun than even the gougers at the gun shows are asking for them.

Obviously you are free to do with your own property what you wish but I just don't understand the logic or compulsion to re-blue every used firearm in existence.

I'll go set in the corner now and calm down,
Daver

 

[Narragansett]

I am not sure when but S&W changed the type of bluing that they do. I believe it was do to environmental concerns. Now it looks black instead of the old blue. But you are right, some guns received more polishing than others, such as the model 27 compared to the model 28. Maybe some of the more knowledable people will chime in.

I am not sure, but hot bluing I think contains arsenic salts which may be a no no now. I know you can no longer use arsenic in the pressure treating process of wood. Just my guess.