Is this revolver reblued?

[usnavydoc]

I posted this question at thefiringline.org, but wanted to get as many opinions as possible. I was holster shopping for this revolver, when the owner of the gun store looked at it and said that it had been re-blued. I am not the first owner of this revolver, so I wouldn't know it's prior history, but it appeared new to me and unfired.

In any case, the store owner told me that it should have sharp edges; that and the purplish hue on cylinder release indicated to him that it had been re-blued and turned into that hue because spent too much time in the vat.

I don't know anything about re-bluing, and am wondering if he is right or if Colt happen to mess up the bluing on that part. The revolver shoots great and I got it for a great price, so no complaints either way, just curious.

 

[Sistema1927]

Some people aren't happy unless they are raining on somebody else's parade.

The gun store owner didn't have a right to give you any reason to not enjoy your revolver. Shoot your Colt, enjoy the heck out of it, and don't listen to killjoys.

 

[Gator]

That's a darn nice gun either way.

 

[Dr.Who]

I would say "Not Re-Blued" Just because I have seen other Colts that I know where not reblued have the cylinder release lever look like that... However, have the Trigger and Hammer being blued makes one wonder.... But, then again I'm not a gunsmith nor do I play one on TV....

Enjoy that nice looking Colt!

 

[bakert]

Nice gun whether reblued or not. I can't tell by the pics but I learned a long time ago not to put much faith in what you might be told in gun stores.

 

[dfariswheel]

If the sides of the hammer are blued, it's a refinish.
Colt always leaves their hammer sides bright polished, but they always blued the sides of the trigger.
It's not unusual to see Colt cylinder latches that have a slight purple color.

To detect a re-blue Python look for:
A less then bright polish job. Few aftermarket re-finishers could match the Colt polishing.

Look at the barrel stamps. When the stamps are rolled on at the factory, some metal is "squeezed" up out around the lettering. If these "ridges" around the lettering are gone, the metal has been polished and the ridges have been polished smooth.

Look for sharp edges and corners that are rounded off.

Look for "wavy" or rippled areas in the flat sides of the frame.

Look at the dull, bead blasted areas on top of the frame and on top of the barrel for signs the polisher slipped and intruded into the bead blast areas.
These areas should be flat black with sharp boarders between the bead blasted and polished areas.

Look UNDER the bluing for signs of wear or light pitting in the metal.

Look at the Colt Pony on the side plate to see if it's partially gone, or if the stamp is very light.

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt polished the sides of the hammer, so I suspect it was reblued. The "purplish hue" is caused by the part being in the tank for too short of time, or temperture that was too low. They come out of the tank blue, but in a few days to a week change color.

In any case I wouldn't worry. A super blue job never made a gun shoot better.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree with Sistema1927, the gun store owner had no right to offer you information you didn't ask for.

That is a beautiful revolver you have. Find a good holster for it, shoot it and carry it without worrying about the finish.

BTW, did you find a holster yet? If not, what type of holster are you looking for? If you let us know we can give you suggestions.

Welcome to the forum...

 

[Storm]

Unless you bought the gun for collector's value, don't sweat it. I recently bought an old M&P in 95% plus condition and have confirmed that it is original. Had I found out it was a re-finish it wouldn't have mattered to me. It was just a matter of curiosity that I found out.

By the way, if the store owner told you it was re-finished without you asking for that information he was off base. Had you been offering it for sale or inquiring as to value that would have been one thing, but offering that information unsolicited seems to me to be bad form.

Enjoy the gun, and if it has been re-finished, just consider that part of the gun's history.

 

[paul45]

May I add.....it is re-blued for the reasons that Old Fuff and dfariswheel expertly point out.

I really wanted to throw in my 2 cents and say it is a great looking shooter!

It is just not a collector.

Say.....did you know those beautiful service stocks are worth a small fortune!?

 

[usnavydoc]

Thanks for all the good info - I went to look at my colt collectors book and noticed the things you guys pointed out - the hammer shouldn't be blued. Comparing it with my 6" and 8" Python enabled me to see the difference in the sharp edges. I can't believe I didn't see it until now.

The gun looks good to me either way, and for the price I paid I can't complain. Re-blued or not, it is still a Python and it shoots great

 

[Old Fuff]

Also Pythons in the 2 1/2" barrel length aren't all that easy to find. Recently at auction someone paid $306.00 ...

For an empty but original cardboard box.

 

[Walkalong]

Dang nice gun, that's for sure. I would not worry that it is a reblue as folks have said, not that I would know.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

usnavydoc,
What about that holster I asked about in my post above? Did you find one yet?

BTW, if your "nic" is accurate, Thank You For Your Service!! Doc...

 

[usnavydoc]

I did find a holster for it, thanks! I am just glad I had the honor and chance to serve our great country, so no thanks is necessary.