refinish 1937??

[jvmm]

I bought a 1937 45 ACP at the last show.

There is NO finish left on it.

Small dings, no rust pits. Locks up tight

Should I reblue, parkerize it or leave it be?

Thanks

 

[clevolver]

I'd probably leave it be. No finish antiques develop a nice patina. If it's ugly, or you want to customize it, and don't care about expense or collector valie, go ahead and refinish it. I'd blue it for looks, or parkerize it for field carry.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello, bought a 1937 45 ACP what? Give a little more info. I read thread twice, I do not know what you have. Best, Mike 2796

 

[PA Guns & Ammo]

Pictures sure do help!

 

[PattonTime]

Refinish 1937 ?

I am betting on it being a Brazilian Contract 1917
But maybe the poster will answer or provide a picture.
Most Brazilians I have seen were rather finish poor !

 

[jvmm]

Yes it is a Brazilian contract

I have access to a bead blaster, so no buffing

am in need of some original grips

 

[g8rb8]

It's all opinion but in the condition you describe I would leave it alone. You should do what you want to do with it.
John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well

 

[824tsv]

"Most Brazilians I have seen were rather finish poor !"

Must have been before waxing!

 

[Dave T]

First your in the wrong forum. 1937 guns were not made in the 1961-1980 time frame discussed here. That aside, you have about a $400 revolver. If you re-blue it will probably cost a couple hundred unless you do it yourself. Then you would have $600 invested in a gun now worth less than the $400 original. And what do you need original grips for it you're going to kill the originality? Just askin'!

Dave

 

[DWalt]

As the finish is gone, anything you do to it won't affect value. A DIY Parkerizing, followed by an application of spray and bake black Teflon (you can do that yourself also) will provide a very tough and attractive finish. Bead blast it first.

 

[Muley Gil]

Yes it is a Brazilian contract

I have access to a bead blaster, so no buffing

am in need of some original grips

It depends on which contract this revolver was shipped with as to which type of grips you need.

The first contract Brazilian 1917s shipped with checkered service with large medallions. These revolvers had the square notch rear sight.

The second contract was in 1946 and those Brazilian 1917s were built on leftover WW I 1917 frames that S&W discovered at the factory. These had the dimple rear sight and most had the smooth grips.

Personally, if you intend to shoot this Brazilian, I would go with a set of Magnas.

 

[jvmm]

The grips that came with it are non target with a Diamond

they are in decent shape I thought they were worth at least $50-70 by themselves

Thanks for the input

 

[DAinTX]

If you plan to keep it and the lack of finish bothers you, then refinish it.
I'd go heavy matte blue or park to hide the most flaws.

 

[gmborkovic]

RE-FINISH, RE-FINISH OR RE-BLUE. I ran into this craze with colonial furniture and antique cars. Leave it alone. Clean and shoot and then clean.
Dont screw it up for the next guy. You dont own it, you are just the custodian for the next generation. The next RM I come across, Im going to hard chrome and put a scope on it. Good hunting and Best, Mike 2796