Colt Official Police - early 1950's - Finish

[OldCavSoldier]

I recently inherited an old Colt Official Police that is in desperate need of restoration. It is pitted in various places all over, not just the holster wear points, and does not have any grips.

It shoots very well; lock-up is tight and timing is perfect. I think it is beyond being polished and re-finished with the Colt Royal Blue finish that was the original finish. I spoke with a young lady at Colt who stated that when they re-finish guns in Matte Blue, they bead-blast and then re-blue and that it is a very non-reflective finish.

I have searched for a photo of a representative re-finishing in the Matte Blue but have come up empty.

My question is: can somebody provide either a digi-pic of the current Colt Matte Blue finish or a link where I can see what it looks like? Specifically, I would like to know how "dark" it is.

Thanks, all!

 

[MtnSpur]

You can google "Colt New Agent" it's a semi auto but sports the matte blue finish. Personally a Colt Official Police, if you really are intent on rebluing, looks MUCH better in original bluing of the period.

Here's my 1967 OP:

 

[OldCavSoldier]

You can google "Colt New Agent" it's a semi auto but sports the matte blue finish. Personally a Colt Official Police, if you really are intent on rebluing, looks MUCH better in original bluing of the period.

Here's my 1967 OP:

My OP is 1953/1954. Is the bluing on your OP "Royal Blue" or "Standard Blue?"

 

[MtnSpur]

My OP is 1953/1954. Is the bluing on your OP "Royal Blue" or "Standard Blue?"

The bluing on OP's is/was the typical bluing that Colt finished revolvers offered. Royal Blue began with the Python (the Cadillac of Colt revolvers if you will) to distinguish them as the best blued finish ever put on a Colt. I believe one can custom order a Royal Blue finish from the Colt Custom Shop. Hope this helps.

Mtn

 

[dfariswheel]

What the original finish was depends on when it was made.
Colt never used the Royal Blue finish on any production revolver except the Python and that wasn't available until 1955.
The very early post-war Colt's used a moderate bright polish hot blue.

Starting around 1950 Colt began using a "duo-tone" blue finish.
The flats of the frame and the outer diameter of the cylinder were polished blue, with the flutes of the cylinder and the edges of the frame done in a flat black bead blasted finish.
In the later 50's Colt went back to a fully polished blue finish.

If you want the gun to look more original, just tell Colt you want a factory type polish. The duo-tone finish is no longer available.
A factory type finish will be a moderate polish.
A matte finish will be a bead blasted dead black color.

 

[harvester]

You might also be surprised how well Colt can bring back a finish. Look around on Colt forum for examples.

 

[CajunBass]

I don't know if this helps or not, but here's a 1950 Official Police. It's been kicked around a bit, and might for all I know have been refinished.



Here's another one, this time from 1939/40 for comparison.

 

[Old Fuff]

Be aware that bead-blasting does not hide pitting, in fact it makes it look worse. Therefore the pits should first be removed by hand polishing - which is expensive unless you do it yourself, which indeed you can.

If you do, then going on to a polished blue similar to what was originally on it shouldn't cost a whole lot more, as most of the work has been done.

Yet another alternative is Parkerizing, which Colt used during World War Two. The metal is sand-blasted prior to finishing, but it still won't hide serious pitting.

 

[OldCavSoldier]

Thanks, everybody! You have helped me decide that when I send the OP to Colt for re-finishing, I will request their "Standard Blue" finish...listed cost being $250. When I get it back from Colt (they quoted 8 to 12 weeks for re-finishing jobs....ugh!!)

As for the grips, I have identified a source of ivory-like grips with Colt medallions that I will put on the gun.

I will post some before and after photos.