Pre-war Colt Official Police Question

[MP-43]

On a pre-war colt, the sides of the hammer are supposed to be in the white, correct? My newly aquired 1937 OP has a hammer with nearly blued sides that end at the sideplate-ie--the blued appearance is limited to the exposed metal. The question is, what causes discoloration like this other than some touch-up blue? The appearance is very smooth and even, but it is clearly not original. No evidence of sanding or polishing. The other question is, how do you remove it?

thanks in advance

 

[RON in PA]

Is it blue or discoloration or rust do to the elements?

 

[MP-43]

It looks like bluing because of the evenness, but my thought is that is is discoloration caused by...? It looks like tarnish on silver, or the patina that forms on old bare metal.

 

[dfariswheel]

Pre-war Colt's hammers were BLUED.

It was only the post-war guns that were polished in the white.

 

[MP-43]

Is that really true? Most if not all of the the 30's vintage colt DAs I have seen featured hammers with polished sides. Besides, why would it only be blued "above the waterline"? The portion under the sideplate is in the white.

 

[Majic]

Both my Pre-war OMT have blued hammers.

Oops, I meant OMT.

 

[Mak Maven]

Are these O.P.pre war worth anything ???
Sorry for my ignorance. Bought 1 used as a poor college kid in 1964. Been packed away many yrs. I take out regularly to oil. It has City Of Richmond P.D. on back strap. No rust but bluing is thin.
Any real $$ value here? Been told it is DOB 1937
Thanks for any responses.

 

[Old Fuff]

I have several pre-war Colt's. All have polished hammer sides. I have also seen full-blued hammers, that I believe were that way after refinishing. In any case the polishing may have been optional at different times.

 

[thatguy]

My 1930 Officers Model Target has a blued hammer.

My 1950 OMT has a polished hammer.

Maybe the blue is worn off the hammer on your gun from rubbing on the frame leaving the exposed part still bue? Maybe it was reblued with the hammer in the frame and only the top part got blued? (Don't really know if that's possible, just guessing, here.) Maybe a previous owner polished the sides of the hammer below the frame to smooth the action?

Offical Police Colts vary according to condition, barrel length, etc. Average around $250-$300 I would say. Bought one made in 1958 for $175 2 years ago just to get the stocks. Then sold the gun for $200. Those stocks are now on the 1930 gun pictured above.