Pre -29 restoration

[Capt. F.]

I bought this from a gun friend about 42 years ago. Pre - 29 5 screw.
He was financially strapped and asked for $150.
It was in the condition you see now - used hard and put away wet - literally. It laid in something on its right side that removed bluing on the cylinder, recoil plate and barrel. In addition the front sight had been modified and it had numerous scratches and holster wear.
Despite all that, it had been shot little, had no end shake and locked up tight.
Last time I fired it about twenty years ago, it shot well, so well it ended the life of a rabid fox that had been hanging around the inlaws house.
I recently read an article by one of our top gun restorers who said a tasteful restoration could increase a guns value so I dug the old girl out. Even with all the wear and tear the Carbonia blue still put today's bluing to shame.
I checked on flea bay and low and behold found a two pin ramp and red insert front sight. Ok, now I'm interested in a restoration.
Now to those opposed to rebluing a gun like this, cover your eyes.
I've found a couple of places that advertise Carbonia bluing but we know what they're really saying is we doing a method of bluing using carbon, some type of oil and a retort oven. I'm fine with that IF it closely resembles original Carbonia.
So here's the question. Has anyone had any experience with shops advertising faux Carbonia and if so, your opinion.
I'm not actually interested in increasing the gun's value - it's not going anywhere, but it seems it deserves better.

 

[bamabiker]

I'd be torn. It might deserve better but right now it is one cool shooter.
If I pretty it up I might not shoot it.

 

[delcrossv]

Doesn't look that beat to me, but it is your gun. Of course, once it's reblued, it's reblued.

 

[murphydog]

You're going to get a lot of opinions so here is the second one.

It sounds to be a mechanically sound gun with 90-95% of the original factory finish, ugly as the defects (especially on the barrel) seem. After a pricey restoration you would have a nicer looking gun that shoots the same, but you and many with an experienced eye could tell was refinished (as in, 0% original).

With this I would opt to leave it as is, perhaps invest $500 or so in a set of original stocks and call it good. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Capt. F.]

I'd be torn. It might deserve better but right now it is one cool shooter.
If I pretty it up I might not shoot it.

Well, I haven't shot it in 20 years so guess it would be no harm done if I pretty it up.
It did make a two month trip across country with us four years ago. We expected to be flyfishing in Montana where bears frequent, but alas we ran out of month before we got there so it never left the locked case. Maybe next trip.

 

[GM4spd]

I never like the word "restoration " especially on vintage firearms
but it's not my money. Restoration means 0% original finish. Pete

 

[daddio202]

I think you are way ahead by only having paid $150 for the gun even as ugly as it is. Still being a 5 screw .44 mag is worth easily $600-$800. Having a short 4 inch barrel would make it a very fast seller in todays market. I do not see what has been modified with front sight but after putting money into a refinish, which will make it look prettier, but after having spent that money the gun will be worth less. You have a terrific shooter you got in a steal, so if I were you I would just leave it as is and enjoy it. Just my humble opinion on the sitiation.

 

[arjay]

I think you could easily sell it in this market for $1500+ and spend a lot more for one in higher condition. The problem with refinishing it is to get it right,you'll spend another $1500 or more,otherwise you end up with polishing errors and a darker finish than the original blue

 

[younggun22]

I would find some original stocks and leave it alone.

 

[nedlate]

The biggest problem with a reblue is the awful buffing of the side plate leaving an obvious line. A restoration is a whole different thing than a buffing and reblue. A big difference in price also.

My opinion is that 4" pre-Model 29 of yours looks good!

Ed

 

[JSR III]

I guess that my question would be "why do you want to pretty it up"?

 

[M29since14]

It's your gun and your money. If you have it refinished properly, I certainly won't be one to fault you. I have a "refurbished" Model 29 that several years ago one of my good friends much more knowledgeable than I am I recall charitably described as a "$1200 $600-gun." He's right, of course, but I'm happy with it anyway.

As to experience with the faux carbona blueing vendors, I'm sorry I can't help. Good luck with your "restoration."

 

[SVT28]

Leave it as is. It's not pitted or rusted out from what I'm seeing. Or do it right and just send it off to Ford's if you wanted to doll it up again.

SVT28

Sent from my LM-V450 using Tapatalk

 

[Capt. F.]

Leave it as is. It's not pitted or rusted out from what I'm seeing. Or do it right and just send it off to Ford's if you wanted to doll it up again.

SVT28

Sent from my LM-V450 using Tapatalk

It isn't about "dolling it up". It's about restoring it, hence the interest in Carbonia bluing. Hot salt can't produce what Carbonia did. Any good gunsmith should be able to polish what needs to be polished without dishing screw holes, rounding corners etc, but the bugaboo here is duplicating the original bluing.
If I can't find a shop that can do that then the gun will stay as is.

 

[Chukar60]

Well obviously nobody read the part where the OP wanted to know about any experiences with faux carbonia bluing.
Lots of opinions about whether to do it or not which the OP never asked for and not one on the faux carbonia.
I get the distinct impression the OP is not in need of our opinions on whether to do it or not.

 

[SVT28]

It isn't about "dolling it up". It's about restoring it, hence the interest in Carbonia bluing. Hot salt can't produce what Carbonia did. Any good gunsmith should be able to polish what needs to be polished without dishing screw holes, rounding corners etc, but the bugaboo here is duplicating the original bluing.

If I can't find a shop that can do that then the gun will stay as is.

Ford's is going to be about as close as you'll get for the old carbonia blueing of that that era. If I had no emotional attachment to it I'd either live with the original finish or save for a pristine 4" pre 29 and sell this one to put towards the upgrade. Look at that barrel wear, that doesn't just come from pulling the gun out of the safe once every 20 years and looking at it. This gun has stories and I'm just not a fan of undoing them.

Check out this beater pre 27 5". One of my favorite pistols. Whats left of the Carbonia blueing is cherished in my eyes.

SVT28

Sent from my LM-V450 using Tapatalk

 

[hkcavalier]

Ford's or The Custom Shop in Montana can do it. I would expect a proper job to run around $1500-$2000.

Here's a Colt OMT that The Custom Shop restored (before and after). They do far more Colts but they have some nice S&W work on their site. The edges stay sharp and the bluing is immaculate.

 

[Pine_Worker]

I'd leave it alone and shoot it, clean it, and repeat. On the other hand, I'd gladly give you your investment back. But, it is your 29 and your money, do what you want and enjoy it.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

Folks who know how to reblue this gun will charge a lot of money.
A Faux reblue will not improve this piece.
So either lay down a pile of money and get it done correctly,
Or don't do it.
Your choice, your money.
I vote for leave it alone!

 

[6string]

Well, it's not like it's gonna get worse just to leave it as is, assuming it's being taken care of. Have you tried just oiling it with Kroil or Camelia oil? Give it a real good rubbing, and the bare metal just looks better.
It's a rare refinish that doesn't mess up the metalwork (sideplate, rollmarks, lack of straight lines, edges, etc). In my opinion (and strictly that) Ford's in particular is one of the worst offenders, charging the most money to ruin lots of guns!
Shiny, yes. But, obviously messed with every time.

Personally, I think your pre-29 looks great! Honest wear as found on well used guns. It's not like Bubba drilled a bunch of holes or did a homemade Fitz job on it!

But, it's your gun. If you get the work done, please post some pictures. They're always informative to those considering the same work.