Then what you need to do is buy only 2nd and 3rd generation Colt's and have them refinished like they were in the 1860's. If we're going to split hairs and pick nits, let's go all the way. No single action since before WWII has been finished like the original 19th century guns, except USFA's Pre-war model. There was no hot salt blue in the 1860's. No Italian replica has authentic finishes. You're gonna need about a $500-$600 refinish job to make it truly look like the real thing. Buying a new Colt SAA doesn't get you all the way there either.
They are pitted and dinged, not just stripped.
Sorry but this is just not true at all, in any way, shape form or fashion. You really need to educate yourself on Aldo Uberti and why he started his business. The Italians do a phenomenal job building guns that American makers don't see fit to even bother with. No, they are not perfect but most are excellent representations of the originals, well made, well finished and affordable.
This one, I know breechloader, but built in 1927, look how beat up or antiqued this one is and had the benefit of modern care. Just think of a 73 Winchester riding in a saddle scabbard all day and all night long, what would it look like? Probably a lot like this or worse than this Winchester.
I'm not talking about abuse. I'm talking about USE. Not spending most of their time in a climate controlled gun safe, only taken out once or twice a month to the range, shot and then immediately broken down and cleaned. I'm talking about spending all day, every day in a leather holster that may or may not be fitted. Riding outdoors, before climate control was even invented. Exposed to rain, snow, dust, dirt, blood and horse sweat. Potentially a long way from a good cleaning after being fired. Decades before smokeless powder, let alone CLP. While they are the objects of our adoration today, back then they were merely tools. Like a Glock today. The original guns that are still pristine, were rarely if ever used. The original guns we see that are pitted, have worn out parts and pitted bores are the ones that rode the trail. If you know your history, you know that the original cavalry Colt SAA's were not that old when returned and refitted into Artillery models.
I don't know what grudge you have against Pedersoli but your assessment of the Italian gunmaking industry is just patently false and your "spaghetti eater" comment is rather crude.
You really think that a Union cavalry Colt issued at the beginning of the War of Northern Aggression would look the same at the end? Better think again.
There are certain laws that must be adhered to. For our protection as well as theirs. Some of the locations are dictated by the government of that country.
I don't know of any companies who do antiquing, to get it to a basic lightly worn level it's not too hard. If I had a gun that I just wanted a worn finish on I'd rub it down with steel wool to get most of the raw steel showing, then just use some mustard or plum brown to give it some character in some areas. If you're wanting something as worn as my walker I may be posting a tutorial here, but first I need to find a Walker to buy!
You might want to hear what Duelist1954 has to say about the Lemat he had defarbed by Lodgewood:
It's simple to tell a defarbed gun from an original. The originals have the original markings, defarbs have none...
