Need opinions / advice on re-bluing a pre 27

[1blindref]

I've got the itch for a 3.5" M27 or pre 27.

I've got my eye on a 5 screw pre-27, but the bluing is well worn - maybe a 60 - 70% gun.
I was thinking about buying it and then sending it to Fords to be re-blued. The asking price is $700.00 which might be on the high side for a gun in this condition, but the 3.5" 27's I've seen for sale are all in the $1000.00 range.
A re-blue job will run about $300.00, so I'll be in that range when all is said and done.

Do I hold out for a better condition M27, or rescue this one and send it to Fords??

What say you??

 

[1blindref]

I've got the itch for a 3.5" M27 or pre 27.

I've got my eye on a 5 screw pre-27, but the bluing is well worn - maybe a 60 - 70% gun.
I was thinking about buying it and then sending it to Fords to be re-blued. The asking price is $700.00 which might be on the high side for a gun in this condition, but the 3.5" 27's I've seen for sale are all in the $1000.00 range.
A re-blue job will run about $300.00, so I'll be in that range when all is said and done.

Do I hold out for a better condition M27, or rescue this one and send it to Fords??

What say you??

 

[Onomea]

I think you hold out for one in better condition...

 

[bower]

I would hold out for a higher condition original bluing.I think you would have difficulty getting your money out of the redo.You would probably have a beautiful gun from what I've seen of Ford's work.

 

[diamonback68]

Hold out for one in better condition. You would have $1000 in a gun worth maybe $500.

 

[1blindref]

Originally posted by bower:
I would hold out for a higher condition original bluing.I think you would have difficulty getting your money out of the redo.You would probably have a beautiful gun from what I've seen of Ford's work.

It was actually this thread that gave me the idea
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&f=530103904&m=4691062443

 

[Gun 4 Fun]

Ask yourself this. Am I going to keep it 'til I'm planted, or do I maybe want to resell it? If it's the former, then who gives a hoot about the resale value. It'll look good and be what you want. If it's the later, I'd hold out for a beter gun.

 

[Buckle]

I have the same question. I picked up a pre27 that is in good mechanical shape with no finish whatsoever. I've rubbed on it with Flitz and Mother's and have gotten off the dirt, rust and tarnish but still have some slight pitting, mostly on one side where it was stored. Got a Jinks letter and know it was shipped blued.
If being refinished, I would prefer nickel since I have a similar 27 that is blue. I got it at a good price so I'm ready to spend the money. Factory or Ford's?

 

[1blindref]

Originally posted by keith44spl:
It's only money, life's short. Enjoy!

Su Amigo,
Dave

Oh, my ol' re-blued 27 3 1/2" shooter,

You aint helpin!!!!
That is one beautiful 27 - a real nice BBQ gun.

 

[j38]

Keith,

You've convinced me not to get in an argument with you about refinishing!.

What a beauty!

Jerry

 

[OIF2]

Refinishing can be a good thing, depending on the initial outlay and the quality of the work done. Both of the below guns were redone by Gene Williams:

 

[keith44spl]

OIF2
Simply Outstanding

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[RKmesa]

Originally posted by keith44spl:
It's only money, life's short. Enjoy!

Su Amigo,
Dave

Oh, my ol' re-blued 27 3 1/2" shooter,

Very NICE. Who scratched it up and blued it???

 

[Onomea]

Dave, that is a beauty. I am not seein' much (any?) holster wear, but I believe you have said that you do carry it. You got a secret to share with us gringos?

 

[BruceM]

Personally, I reject the notion that refinishing automatically reduces the value of a gun to that of a boat anchor. It really depends of the condition of the gun to be reworked, the quality of the refinish, whether you're changing the finish from the original, etc..

Recouping the investment depends on a number of things including the demand for the gun being refinished.

2 cents worth.

Bruce

 

[Pitdog02]

Ive been thinking about refinishing lately. I think if I were to refinish my 27 I would have to make it into a pinto. Any thoughts? I think it would just look so cool that it would have to be accepted on a refinished level to a higher degree.

 

[MikeyL]

Just to add to the mix, I was able to have S&W repair and reblue a 1953-vintage .357, 5" a couple of years ago. The cost was about $400.00, which included a new cylinder. The work was first rate; I think the Custom Shop did the work. Turnaround time was a month or so, but tha was not an issue. Just my opinion.

MikeyL
"Life's tough. Tougher when you're stupid." -John Wayne

 

[durco]

Originally posted by BruceM:
Personally, I reject the notion that refinishing automatically reduces the value of a gun to that of a boat anchor. It really depends of the condition of the gun to be reworked, the quality of the refinish, whether you're changing the finish from the original, etc..

Recouping the investment depends on a number of things including the demand for the gun being refinished.

Bruce

Yep, that's true. But, you're playing long odds and many times these refinish projects end up costing more than we first figured...... or worse - they don't turn out as well as we would have liked - or both.
Mike

 

[BUFF]

Nickel shows any flaws in the metal much more than blue. If you have pitting that is deep enough to not polish out completely (which is usually the case with pitting), nickel will make it more easily noticed.

I'd go with blue.

"Collector value" is an overblown concept with most guns. Unless it is a rare item, "collectors" turn up their noses at guns with lots of finish wear. They don't buy them. I maintain that a quality blue job enhances the value of guns like we are discussing here, maybe not by enough to recoup the refinish costs quickly, but there is more to enjoying a good gun than just hoping for resale profit.

Your money, your gun, do what makes you happiest.