Reblue 1981 6” Colt Python?

[bill-in-texas]

What say ye?

I'm considering sending this to Ford's for their Master Blue.
I bought this Python sight unseen, based on my son's description.
I wasn't disappointed considering what I paid for it, and the action is buttery-smooth with the tightest lock-up of any revolver I own (or have ever owned).

Opinions on having this one refinished?

-Bill



Click Link for Large Image

"https://i.ibb.co/4tM8bxR/29-E91-A84-7-B84-41-D8-B066-0888-A8-F38689.jpg"

"https://i.ibb.co/6nTXrjs/84-AF87-DC-1188-4645-81-E2-0195-F1-FB4462.jpg"

"https://i.ibb.co/ZNxQv3H/5191-C348-72-F7-4-D78-B452-6-C7-B5-EF9-DA64.jpg"

 

[Laketime]

If you want to enjoy the gun looking great by all means refinish it.Others will say leave it alone it has character,it tells a story.or it will kill value.But if your personal enjoyment is important to you that is all that matters and not what others who don't own it think.

 

[Onomea]

You might consider hardchroming it, as I did with this 1958 Dick Special:





just stuck that Tyler T on there yesterday.

I had Fords do their Master Blue on this Three Fifty-Seven:



Herrett's Jordan Troopers.

I think if you trade or sell guns, and think you might with your recently acquired Python, refinishing does not make sense. Or, if you just value the original finish for its own sake.

But, if you want to personalize a gun to your liking, one that you intend to keep, have at it.

 

[Aircrewman]

I've heard of Ford's reputation for their fine finishes and while I am certain that you would appreciate the outcome of the refinish, I would not send it for the refinish.

Without going into a laborious explanation, my reasoning simply is that it doesn't appear that your beautiful Python needs it. The finish put on by the factory is a very good one. Maybe not as good on the later ones say...., after the late 60's but, nonetheless it's a very, very good one.

Secondly, and maybe more importantly, is the fact that the action is described by you as tight and smooth as you have ever felt. Leave that alone. I am (reasonably) certain that this wonderful action won't be messed up, but..... why risk it? I have had a Colt action or two that have been returned from reputable smiths that were not the same. I had a really nice Trooper 38 spl from the mid 60's that looked like heck but the timing was perfect. When I got it back after a refinish, it was out of time. Took it to another smith who tried his best to return it to perfect timing. He couldn't. To say that I was disappointed is understating my chagrin. This was a recent few years ago, so Colt has been out of business of fixing the "old" actions for better part of, what, 40 years? No new parts and fewer and fewer gunsmiths with the expertise to repair the old actions make this (your desire to have the gun taken apart for refinish) a decision to be resisted unless there is something else that is needed for your wonderful revolver. It's finish as shown in this post seems just really fine to me.....
'course that's just my opinion......, I could be wrong.....

 

[Old_Cop]

Please get rid of the rubber grips first.

 

[Ruger 13]

I'd go for it if I owned it!

 

[Onomea]

... I have had a Colt action or two that have been returned from reputable smiths that were not the same......

This is a good point. Both of mine above were tuned by Grant Cunningham after they were refinished. He's no longer revolversmithing, per his site, but I am pretty sure that there are a couple of guys he recommends for Colts.

 

[arjay]

I'd leave it as is. I don't think anyone can match the quality of the original polish.

 

[sigp220.45]

I don't think I'd pay what Ford's charges only to reduce the value of the gun. Looks fine as is.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Please get rid of the rubber grips first.

It came with them... I would never store a Python with these, due to moisture getting trapped along the grip frame. (You can see what's left of the bluing after I removed the nearly-guaranteed oxidation, using 0000 bronze wool.)

I bought the correct era grips from a forum member, a while back.
Unfortunately(?), the grips are in far superior condition to the bluing.

-Bill

 

[Bumpus13]

Looks fine to me as is.

 

[Gardner11]

I think you should have it reblued , it's your gun , two of the most beautiful guns I own have been reblued a pre 27 redone by
Smith and a Colt SAA redone after being engraved . Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[JohnRippert]

You do what you want, it is your gun. I would not refinish if it were mine. Another thing to think about is that Fords may be going downhill. Been seeing more unsatisfied customer reviews for their work in the last year or so.

 

[6string]

Some folks can't see past a few scratches to appeciate the very careful work that goes into a first class original finish. Edges that are intended to be sharp are sharp. Curves that are carefully radiused are done so with care. The mating of metal parts should be absolutely seemless. Markings are sharp and clear.
So, a gun with a few blemishes that don't affect any of the above gets sent off for an expensive refinish. Some ham-fisted guy with one eye on the clock fires up the buffing wheel and removes those blemishes, scratches, or whatever, starting with his coarsest abrasive compound. Then repeats the process again and again with finer grades of abrasive. And, rounds off every sharp edge, dishes out screw holes, and makes the side plate to frame fit look like a worn bar of soap.
But, it sure is shiny!!

If a deep shiny blue is important enough to you that you're willing to accept, or at least risk, rounded-over sharp edges, dished screw holes, faded rollmarks, and a gaping sideplate seam, then Ford's is the company for you!

Search this forum. Look at the photos. Be your own judge. If you really can't see how many guns that company has ruined, then go for it!

 

[johngalt]

Before I had it refinished, I would want to find out what kind of finish Ford's uses. My understanding is Colt's old Royal Blue finish, due to environmental/health reasons, is no more. If Ford's process can't duplicate it, I would hesitate. But that's just me.

 

[kbm6893]

I've only reblued one gun, a Model 10-8 that was heavily worn. It came out great and I'm not sorry I did it, but your Colt does not look anywhere near bad enough for me to even consider having it reblued. The gun would be gone for months and it would cost too much.

 

[mchom]

My 2 cents...I would not refinish this python. It looks gently used but not abused at least from what I can see.

 

[reddog81]

What are the pictures supposed to be showing? I don't really see much wrong with it. A little wear around the edges? I wouldn't refinish that gun.

 

[bill-in-texas]

Thanks for the well thought-out replies, with good arguments both for and against.
I believe I'll keep it the way I bought it. It's a quality, shooter-grade revolver from a bygone era. And as is often said in these discussions, it's only original once.

-Bill

 

[stansdds]

It is your revolver, do with it as you wish. I have a pair of blued Pythons, neither are pristine, both have some finish wear. I would not consider having them refinished or restored. Original finish is original only once, a refinish, even the most accurate of refinishes, is not original and usually will not increase the value of the refinished piece and often it decreases its value.