Model 36 Question

[jouimette]

I just picked up this sweet little 36 with S/N J281XXX, which I believe dates it at 1976, but the bluing looks too good - It has Mod 36 on the inside, and then 981x3 stamped on the outside of the crane with an F9 stamped below that (F9 looks more recent) - is there any way to tell if this has been reblued or reconditioned?

 

[Hapworth]

Two things you can look for are:

1) Screws that have been dished or warped by the polishing process;

2) Lettering that has been been flattened, "smeared" or unevenly smoothed by the same process;

3) Smoothing or "soap barring" of normally sharp, straight edges.

 

[jouimette]

I don't see any of those signs, but then again, I'm no expert.

 

[kudzu3]

Judging from the pictures, it looks right. Nice.

 

[fyimo]

Judging from the pictures, it looks right. Nice.

+1 on what he said

 

[Hapworth]

I don't see any of those signs, but then again, I'm no expert.

Mind you, they wouldn't be signs of a factory or absolute top-shelf reblue, but instead of a decent-to-bubba job.

If you bought the piece as a collector's item with the express understanding that the finish is original, it's worth going to lengths to find out what exactly you've acquired.

If it's going to be a shooter or just to suit your pleasure, it probably doesn't matter if it was reblued provided it was a professional job and the price you paid for it reflects a refinish, which should slightly lower the value of a collector piece, and more or less not affect value for a shooter (personally, I might pay a little extra for a mechanically sound shooter that someone had professionally refinished, but I wouldn't pay anywhere near what the job cost).

 

[jouimette]

Hapworth - I appreciate the input, and I guess I'm looking at it backwards - I bought it because it's a beautiful gun, but if that finish is original, and because I have the box and warranty card, I would not shoot it. On the other hand, if it's a top-shelf reblue, and has no real collector value, then I'll be just as happy shooting it.

 

[Hapworth]

Hapworth - I appreciate the input, and I guess I'm looking at it backwards - I bought it because it's a beautiful gun, but if that finish is original, and because I have the box and warranty card, I would not shoot it. On the other hand, if it's a top-shelf reblue, and has no real collector value, then I'll be just as happy shooting it.

That's a win-win. Is the box numbered to the gun? That and the paperwork (no tools?) would put it in collector condition if the finish is original and as good as it appears in the pictures.

That's impetus to have a trustworthy someone with a trained eye look it over and assess the finish -- whether you save it, sell it or shoot it, you'll feel better knowing for sure.

 

[jouimette]

Box is numbered to the gun, with the warranty card and papers - no tools. I will have to find a trained eye to look it over. Thanks!