I agree with the detractors of refinished guns. Most of mine are high grade shooters, not perfect, but never to be refinished by me. I like the patina of guns that have aged gracefully. The model 28-2 pictured here is perfect with its imperfections (to me, anyway). As I am reducing my collection, this one will probably not go.
Rebluing/cost quality??
- Thread starter Model29-26.5
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Since the OP is here seeking council …
He got plenty
There is a link a few posts up to view auction
He’s also posted it here before about a month or 2 back
It’s well used and has the wear and scars of a well used gun. The finish looks original and stocks are numbered. 6” barrel w/rr front sight.
I definitely agree with advice NOT to refinish
Although op seems to want to move forward
Ive refinished and restored my share
OP expressed desire to have it pristine and asked about costs. I agree it’s best to just find a better condition gun. But it is op’s gun and money…
If he wants a shiny refinished gun it’s his choice to make
He got plenty
There is a link a few posts up to view auction
He’s also posted it here before about a month or 2 back
It’s well used and has the wear and scars of a well used gun. The finish looks original and stocks are numbered. 6” barrel w/rr front sight.
I definitely agree with advice NOT to refinish
Although op seems to want to move forward
Ive refinished and restored my share
OP expressed desire to have it pristine and asked about costs. I agree it’s best to just find a better condition gun. But it is op’s gun and money…
If he wants a shiny refinished gun it’s his choice to make
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I spoke to Doug Turnbull at the Southern Side by Side Exposition about two years ago. He said that he DOES NOT re-finish/restore S&W revolvers. He said its due to the potential for damaging them in the polishing process.
About 12 years ago I bought a 3.5 inch 27-2 for a very good price. The gun was an old law enforcement gun that had the typical "lot of carry, little firing." It had no rust, no dings or scratches. The issue was the finish was extremely holster worn.
As I had little in it, I sent it to S&W for a refinish. They called me and said that it required no polishing at all. They only stripped the finish and re-blued it. As said above it is not the original S&W blue.
Here's a photo to show the new bluing.
As I had little in it, I sent it to S&W for a refinish. They called me and said that it required no polishing at all. They only stripped the finish and re-blued it. As said above it is not the original S&W blue.
Here's a photo to show the new bluing.
Had a client, who lived a couple of houses away. He is a master engraver who does work for Colt and other firearms manufacturers. I asked him who he sent firearms, with an emphasis on revolvers, to for refinishing.
He responded, without hesitation, Wyoming Armory in Cody, Wyoming. I personally have not used their services but, their work looks very nice.
He responded, without hesitation, Wyoming Armory in Cody, Wyoming. I personally have not used their services but, their work looks very nice.
lppd4
Member
I had the chrome/nickel stripped off of a 28-2 and the reblued by Fords. They did a great job, not cheap and not quick but the work was great. Cost about $550 if I remember correctly. They color case hardened the trigger and hammer and that added to the cost considerably.
I know that refinishing revolvers is a controversial topic. My original duty revolver was a Model 581. During a divorce, I sold it to a co-worker. Years later, I got it back. Don’t know if he kept it in a tool box or what? It was dinged up and rusty. Not the way I like to keep my revolvers. I had a now retired Gunsmith in FL refinish it. I couldn’t have been happier. So, if you want to refinish your revolver, I say go for it…
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About 12 years ago I bought a 3.5 inch 27-2 for a very good price. The gun was an old law enforcement gun that had the typical "lot of carry, little firing." It had no rust, no dings or scratches. The issue was the finish was extremely holster worn.
As I had little in it, I sent it to S&W for a refinish. They called me and said that it required no polishing at all. They only stripped the finish and re-blued it. As said above it is not the original S&W blue.
Here's a photo to show the new bluing.
That looks top notch.
What was the cost?
Thanks
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I have only had 2 guns refinished over the 50 years I have been in the hobby. Both were long guns and I sent them both to Mid West Gunworks in Pevely MO. The reason I did this is that both were my Dad's guns and no matter how many times I oiled them, touched them up and cleaned off the rust, it quickly returned - that bothered me! Since they will NEVER be for sale in my lifetime, I was not concerned about collectors value. Hopefully my Son will enjoy them when I pass them down.
Mid West Gunworks did an EXCELLENT job! They did them both in about 8-9 weeks if I recall and although I can not remember off hand what they charged me, I can tell you it was very reasonable at the time. The polishing and bluing they did was as good and probably better than the factory did! Both of these reblued long guns are still in incredible condition and I NEVER regretted doing them.
I do not know wether or not they do pistols and revolvers but a quick look at their website or a quick telephone call will let you know. I did both of these guns over around 15 -16 years ago and have recommended friends to them over the years. Whatever work they have done that I have personally seen has come out spectacular. I can not vouch for what they are currently doing, but all I can do is tell you what I have personally experienced and seen. Just another source to consider and compare.
These guns were both sentimental to me (family heirlooms if you will) and I did not put a monetary value on them for my decision. Today, refinishing a revolver or pistol may just not pay - again, unless it is a family heirloom, expensive piece, or just sentimental to the owner. As far as devaluing a guns worth, I believe that most of the time it isn't applicable and matters not! This is simply because most gun owners and buyers I know want nice looking guns and are not "true collectors" anyway. They would rather have a beautifully looking gun then pay a lot of money for a "rat" even though it may well be original. The true collector would probably not buy a refinished gun, but there are not that many "true collectors" around much anymore. Just the same as a person buying a used car would rather buy a nice looking rust free car than an original rotted and rusted one - again, unless he is a true collector or restorer / car collector. Just my opinion of course.
Mid West Gunworks did an EXCELLENT job! They did them both in about 8-9 weeks if I recall and although I can not remember off hand what they charged me, I can tell you it was very reasonable at the time. The polishing and bluing they did was as good and probably better than the factory did! Both of these reblued long guns are still in incredible condition and I NEVER regretted doing them.
I do not know wether or not they do pistols and revolvers but a quick look at their website or a quick telephone call will let you know. I did both of these guns over around 15 -16 years ago and have recommended friends to them over the years. Whatever work they have done that I have personally seen has come out spectacular. I can not vouch for what they are currently doing, but all I can do is tell you what I have personally experienced and seen. Just another source to consider and compare.
These guns were both sentimental to me (family heirlooms if you will) and I did not put a monetary value on them for my decision. Today, refinishing a revolver or pistol may just not pay - again, unless it is a family heirloom, expensive piece, or just sentimental to the owner. As far as devaluing a guns worth, I believe that most of the time it isn't applicable and matters not! This is simply because most gun owners and buyers I know want nice looking guns and are not "true collectors" anyway. They would rather have a beautifully looking gun then pay a lot of money for a "rat" even though it may well be original. The true collector would probably not buy a refinished gun, but there are not that many "true collectors" around much anymore. Just the same as a person buying a used car would rather buy a nice looking rust free car than an original rotted and rusted one - again, unless he is a true collector or restorer / car collector. Just my opinion of course.
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My 25-2 from Ford's
Well, since everyone else is adding their thoughts, here are mine: If you're dead set on refinishing the gun, consider employing the skills of a master engraver. That's about the only way a refinish will ever get close to your money back. Not gonna be cheap, but you would have a showpiece that might even grow in value over the years. Plus, it would truly be Your gun!
mrcabinet2122
Member
As I stated in that post, it's not a Ford's or Turnbull, but I'm quite happy with it.
If anyone is interested, the work was done by Bullseye Bluing. They don't have a website - just a Facebook page and phone number - 706-565-0009. It's just a two man shop, but they've been bluing since 1981. They prefer you to bring/send the whole firearm, so there's no surprises. They typically charge $200 for the matte and $230 for a high polish, but that can vary depending on the condition of the piece.
They are also a full service gunsmith. They noticed that the yoke on the 19 was tweaked a little, so they straightened it out for a very, very modest cost and made sure the timing was perfect.
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