Made a Mistake - Want to Reblue

Status
Not open for further replies.
...and OK with the fact a re-blue will lessen the value of your gun...
Click to expand...
I'm sorry but people make this blanket statement all the time and it simply is not true. A properly refinished S&W will be worth more than one that is pitted, rusted, dinged-up and freckled. One restored by Turnbull will be worth a hell of a lot more.
 
Even if I can't afford it now, partially because I underestimated the price of a quality rebluing, I want her to look like it did the day it came out of the factory. I will then take her and make her my own (Riding with Private Melone) and write my own story on her finish. I don't mind reducing the value of the gun, it is a keeper and I will do everything in my power to not have to sell her. I just want to get a quality rebluing when I do it.

Edit: how much could I expect a shop to charge me to take her apart so I can send it in to Turnbull for a quote? Also how much would it cost to ship?
 
Last edited:
Honestly - the gun appears to be a shooter. I'd give a good wipe with a CLP soaked rag and keep enjoying it at the range. Refinishing will not improve its accuracy or function. The gun shows honest wear and you did it no real harm so don't be hard on yourself, I'm sure it's not the first time that gun has had a little surface rust. If you have it refinished and keep using it you'll wear that finish also, and it may become a safe queen. Going from 100% to 98% over a short time can feel worse than going from 95% to 80% over 4 decades. Kind of like the first parking lot dent on that new car. A similar 99+% collectible 27 will cost less than a quality refinish and will appreciate faster to boot.
 
Going by Turnbull's pre-polished prices, which are for $200 carbona and for $150 hot salt, I would say somewhere in the neighborhood of $300-$500 total. But we're not talking about Bubba at the buffing wheel here but a talented craftsman doing mostly handwork.

The more I think about it, the more I think there is something wrong with that $1500 quote. I would start an email exchange and send them the pics you posted here.
 
InfamousLegend said:
Even if I can't afford it now, partially because I underestimated the price of a quality rebluing, I want her to look like it did the day it came out of the factory. I will then take her and make her my own (Riding with Private Melone) and write my own story on her finish. I don't mind reducing the value of the gun, it is a keeper and I will do everything in my power to not have to sell her. I just want to get a quality rebluing when I do it.

Edit: how much could I expect a shop to charge me to take her apart so I can send it in to Turnbull for a quote? Also how much would it cost to ship?
Click to expand...
Shipping USPS is the way to go which means hiring an FFL. Mine would ship that handgun insured USPS for about $40.
 
Called Turnbull and they said they won't do any prep or polishing work on S&W firearms because they don't have any of the roll dies to fix any lettering they might damage. Any other companies I should look at?
 
Last edited:
That's a bummer, I reckon they want to specialize in Colt's and Winchesters. I think Ford's does remarking but they don't do charcoal blue.
 
I would give Bob Cogan at Accurate Plating a call. He's a hell of a nice guy and usually easy to get a hold of. If he can't help you, he can probably point you in the right direction. I know he uses Turnbull for case coloring. Perhaps he could prep your S&W and send it to them for charcoal bluing. Be advised, he may talk your ear off. ;)

http://www.apwcogan.com
 
Talked to bob and he was irritated at first because I asked to talk to him but he lightened up really quick and was extremely nice. So nice infact we talked 32 minutes, haha. He quoted me at about $350.00 and said it shouldn't go above $400.00. Looks like I found a company to go to.
 
Last edited:
Great! Is he gonna prep it an send it to Turnbull for charcoal blue or do a hot blue in house?

I told you he'd talk your ear off. Couple years ago I stopped by his new shop in AL (old one was in FL) on my way through to see what he thought of a well worn .38-44HD and thought I'd never be able to leave. Even after deciding not to have the work done, because it was just too far gone and would cost too much to bring back.
 
We only really talked about doing it in house and I would imagine if I asked he would do it. How good is his work and would having him send it to Turnbull instead give me a better color? He said for environmental reasons its almost impossible to recreate the original process.
 
Last edited:
You're going to a hell of a lot of expense & effort for an end result that may not be all that much different from what S&W would do.

As far as black vs blue goes, I can see no real difference in the finish color between this pre-27, a 1961 Colt Official Police, and a '66 Colt Trooper .357, except for the much higher polishing levels & lustre on the Smith.
The old Colts are no bluer than the pre-27, to my eye, and both are unfired with zero holster or finish wear.

Those are just the ones here in the office safe, I'm too lazy to go downstairs & compare to the older Smiths there. :)
Denis
 
Fully understand that, just saying you might regret all that money & effort when it's finally done. :)
Denis
 
That price sounds a lot better. All I could think regarding the $1500 was the opportunity cost. What else could you get for $1,500? A mint, blued Colt Python for one!

I generally don't recommend rebluing old S&Ws, but your's appears to have been touched up with some of that !@#$ cold blue crap at some point. Putting cold blue on a pre-27 is like restoring a Picasso with Krylon. As others said, quality factory bluing shouldn't rust like that after only 6 hours (unless salt was a factor, but even then...) So if it were mine, I'd have it refinished but wouldn't go any higher than the $400 or so you are looking at.

Good luck.
 
It sucks that Turnbull won't do the work, and I'm sure he quoted me on a full restoration. I really want to know if a charcoal bluing will give a more accurate color or if it will hold up better. If anyone knows speak up, and if it is better would Accurate Plating get mad if I asked.
 
Last edited:
Charcoal blue also does not last long.
It'll wear quickly.
Denis
 
Real charcoal bluing is not to be confused with what Uberti markets as "charcoal blue". Which is actually nitre blue and does wear quickly. Charcoal bluing, also called carbona (not to be confused with S&W's old carbonia), is one of the most durable of the blued finishes.
 
CraigC said:
I'm sorry but people make this blanket statement all the time and it simply is not true. A properly refinished S&W will be worth more than one that is pitted, rusted, dinged-up and freckled. One restored by Turnbull will be worth a hell of a lot more.
Click to expand...

pitted & dinged up?
 
Always important to clearly determine before the money's spent exactly what you're talking about. :)
There's blue, blue, and blue. Nail down which one you & your chosen shop are refering to.

Denis
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

H
  • Locked
Question about the value of a weapon
Replies
12
Views
742
CraigC
CraigC
K
  • Locked
Rebluing question
Replies
4
Views
438
Jim K
J
W
  • Locked
Sell, Stash or Reblue?
Replies
21
Views
859
Wildalaska
W
S
Stole a heritage series S&W, show us yours.
Replies
19
Views
741
Miami_JBT
Miami_JBT
S
  • Locked
S&W snubby customizing
Replies
11
Views
648
2ndamd
2
Back
Top