[jdmb03]

I was at a local shop and noticed a Colt 1917 new service, .357 magnum. The trigger and hammer were jeweled. What is the point of jeweling?

The price was $500 in excellent condition, original grips, w/o the box. Sound good?

[Old Fuff]

Jeweling is primarily a cosmetic treatment, which some like and others don't. It is said to help hold lubricating oil on the treated surface. I suspect the practical effects are minimal.

If this is an original .357, and not one rebuilt using a spare .357 cylinder and barrel the price is probably in line. A relative few of this model were made in .357 Magnum. It should have a brushed blue-blue, not blue-black finish with checkered walnut grips. The serial number should be above 339,000. The jeweling will slightly detract from it's collector's value.

[BluesBear]

Are we talking about a 1917 or a New Service?
Yeah I know that all Colt 1917 revolvers are actually New Service models.

But, if it's marked 1917, it couldn't be a .357 since the .357 didn't come into being until 1934 and the Colt 1917 military models were long since out of production by then.

Now then, if it's not US marked then in could be a New Service .357 and the price would be pretty reasonable if really in the stated condition.

Jewelling or engine turning, really did help hold the lubricant. But with all of the advancements in lubricants made since 1960 it's not really needed any longer. However, IMHO, it will forever look cool.

[Standing Wolf]

I like the look of jewelled hammers and triggers. I sent my carry gun, a pre-agreement Smith & Wesson model 60, to http://www.magnaport.com for bead blasting, porting, barrel crowning, and jewelling. I'm in the process of replacing the plywood stocks with real wood: these Badgers fit my hand well, but I'm partial to walnut, birdseye maple, and coco bolo.

I like gold-plated hammers and triggers even better than jewelled. Necessary? By no means. Functional? Nope. Pretty? Yep.

[BluesBear]

Wolf,

Nice lens, real nice grips!

No one can ever say you've lost all your marbles. :D

[Standing Wolf]

BluesBear:

Actually, those are someone else's. I lost mine decades ago.