Learned a trick for checking cold blue touch-ups

[6string]

Maybe you could just find a different barrel. That way the blueing might be a closer match and the cost would probably be a better fit. And it wouldn't be refinished either...

Depending on the age, the original barrel might be numbered to the gun.

 

[bedwards]

I'd keep and shoot it. It's like an old, beat up pickup truck, it's already scratched.

 

[alwslate]

I learned a way of telling if a gun had been touched up with cold blue a long time ago. Pick it up and smell it. If cold blued it will have a certain smell that comes from the blue. I have been able to use this to my advantage at gun shows. I got the seller to lower the price on my old 1951 Colt Official Police .38 spl by pointing out the touch up to the seller.

 

[hdfinder47]

But it's a very nice looking old pickup truck indeed!

 

[22hipower]

Maybe you could just find a different barrel. That way the blueing might be a closer match and the cost would probably be a better fit. And it wouldn't be refinished either...

I've done that once. Bought a 4.5 inch S sn 27-2, nope S&W didn't make any 4.5 inch 27-2s at least not that one. It came as the second gun in one of those auctions where you have to buy two to get the one you want. But who doesn't like a 4 inch 27-2?

The barrel cut was so unappealing that I went on a barrel search and found an actual 4 inch 27-2 barrel for the not terrible price of $175 delivered. Another $100 to have my gunsmith switch them. Before and after pictures below. I had $890 in the gun so now $1165 with a 4 inch 27-2 I can live with and a spare 4.5 inch barrel. Might be hard to tell from the picture but the bluing on the new barrel is a very nice match with the frame. Was it worth it?

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qqzxHA https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://flic.kr/p/2qqFEN7 https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[Gun Relics]

Jeff, I think you did great on that one, right move.

 

[Truckman]

Pick it up and smell it. If cold blued it will have a certain smell that comes from the blue.

Covid took away my ability to smell anything a few years ago...In some ways it became an advantage, but I think I think I'd rather be able to smell things again......Ben

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The primary chemical in cold bluing is copper sulphate, strong odor of old pennies. Easy for most people to detect with a simple sniff or two.