To reblue or not reblue: 1921 Colt 1903

[Snowdog]

I finally found a Colt 1903 for what I was willing to pay. It's a pistol I've wanted since I can remember, likely before my teens.

Mine was made in 1921 and mechanically is about perfect. It seems like it was carried (a lot) but not shot much; the action is tight and slick.
There's no scratches or pitting anywhere and the markings (including the pony) are crisp, but there's practically no bluing on the front of the handle, backstrap/grip safety and most of the slide.

I paid around $500 for this Colt and looking at the prices online, I'm under the impression that if done right, the reblue will not affect the monetary value either way . It will, however, make me happy even if I have to eat the cost of the reblue.

So should I have this reblued by someone reputable (I'm open to suggestions, btw) to a nice glossy blue or am I mistaken about the impact on the value and leave it in its current state.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

It's your gun and your money, and you should do what makes you happy. That's a nice gun, and it's on my want list in that exact condition.

If this were my gun, I would ensure it was mechanically excellent and choose not to refinish it. And shoot it, and love it, and call it George or something. I'm a fan of the "sympathetic restoration", meaning only address what needs addressing. The finish on that gun isn't something that I'd see as needing address at this time.

Sorry, I don't have any input on refinishers, except to say that this is an area where you generally get what you pay for.

 

[Iggy]

They are only original once. Refinishing is kinda like putting a nylon jump suit on a 85 year old man and dying his hair black. Sumthin' just ain't right.

 

[WVsig]

Do what makes you happy. From a collector standpoint there is not much collectiblity in this gun in this condition IMHO. It is not going to appreciate any faster by leaving it alone vs refinishing it. If you had the box and it still had the charcoal blue finish on it I would leave it alone but the way it is now it is a shooter not a fine collectible. If I was going to refinish it I would send it to someone like Turnbull who can do a 1900ish Colt Charcoal Blue.

 

[huntsman]

I vote leave it.

 

[Whiterook808]

Please don't refinish it. Worn original finish is worth more than any grade of 'restoration".

 

[AlexanderA]

In the condition it's in, you would not be lowering the value significantly by refinishing.

I would consider Parkerizing it instead of rebluing. These guns, in .32, when issued in WW2 as General Officers' Pistols, were almost all Parkerized. (The ones in .380 were mostly blued.) Also, nice checkered walnut grips with Colt medallions would be an improvement. I would, however, draw the line at engraving "U. S. Property" on the frame. That would be faking.

The preparation for Parkerizing would involve a light bead blasting rather than a complete polishing. Therefore, the markings and sharp corners are more likely to be preserved.

 

[Tallball]

The markings are so clear and pretty that I would leave it be.

 

[BSA1]

Rebluing requires the gun to be disassembled into individual parts. A 98 year old gun has old parts that may break when the gun is taken apart or put back together or part(s) may be lost meaning that you are now without a useable gun until replacement part(s) are tracked down.

Something to think about.

 

[cfullgraf]

It's your gun, so your choice.

But, bringing it back to top notch condition has some advantages.

Of course, there is a bunch of folks that feel that it should be left in the original condition.

An example, recently I found a Winchester 1873 chambered in 32-20. It had been refinished which reduced it's value some. But, I was happy with the refinish job so I bought it. It is a good pair for a 32-20 S&W K-frame that I have, which also was refinished before I found it.

Another case, I have a Colt 1908 (380 ACP version of the 1903) that my grandfather carried in France during the Great War. I'd never have this gun refinished because it has some family history.

Colt 1903's are not that rare and there are some current manufactured versions available these days. So, your choice. Do what makes you happy.

 

[bersaguy]

I'm a sucker for old guns with honest wear. But if you do reblue, I second going thru someone like Turnbull. If it were mine, and I planned on shooting it a lot...may consider nickel plating. Just dont go too far, you know, night sights, g10 grips, laser, hydrodip camo

 

[bannockburn]

Another "No" vote to refinishing. If it were mine I would leave it just the way it is.

 

[Jim Watson]

Everybody worries about resale value.
You will hardly ever recover the cost of a refinish on resale.
I know Mr Turnbull says that the resale price of a "restored" gun can exceed the price of a worn gun plus the cost of "restoration". Good luck on that with a common model.

 

[drband]

I don't think resale value should be part of the equation. If you want it reblued, then get it reblued and enjoy shooting it! It will look nice, especially if you go with Turnbull.

 

[WVsig]

Everybody worries about resale value.
You will hardly ever recover the cost of a refinish on resale.
I know Mr Turnbull says that the resale price of a "restored" gun can exceed the price of a worn gun plus the cost of "restoration". Good luck on that with a common model.

I think that he is correct for some guns. On this particular gun I think the OP would break even either way. If you take the OPs gun and refinish it a Turnbull I am willing to bet you will get your money out of it from the right buyer should the need arise. The same is most likely true of the gun in the current condition. I do not think the refinish is going to really help or harm the value. This is also why I suggested using someone like Turnbull. His rep alone will help you sell the gun if you ever need to a help you get your money out vs the guy at the local shop.

I don't think resale value should be part of the equation. If you want it reblued, then get it reblued and enjoy shooting it! It will look nice, especially if you go with Turnbull.

Yup this is the way I look at is also. If you want the gun reblued do it. I did this one in Master Blue from Ford's not because it would change the value of the gun but because I wanted to do it.









It looked like this before I sent it in.

 

[scaatylobo]

I finally found a Colt 1903 for what I was willing to pay. It's a pistol I've wanted since I can remember, likely before my teens.

Mine was made in 1921 and mechanically is about perfect. It seems like it was carried (a lot) but not shot much; the action is tight and slick.
There's no scratches or pitting anywhere and the markings (including the pony) are crisp, but there's practically no bluing on the front of the handle, backstrap/grip safety and most of the slide.

I paid around $500 for this Colt and looking at the prices online, I'm under the impression that if done right, the reblue will not affect the monetary value either way . It will, however, make me happy even if I have to eat the cost of the reblue.

So should I have this reblued by someone reputable (I'm open to suggestions, btw) to a nice glossy blue or am I mistaken about the impact on the value and leave it in its current state.

View attachment 833334

Doug Turnbull is the ONLY ONE who can do a reblue on that gun and have it increase in value.

He is a documented Colt refurbisher

He has a shop in Westfield N.Y. and he has done AMAZING work for me..

 

[Bill Raby]

Everyone tends to freak out about the value. But fact is that if it is not up for sale, then it has NO monetary value at all.

 

[1KPerDay]

I would leave that one alone. If it were really nasty I'd consider rebluing. Yours looks better than a lot of my modern guns.

 

[stevekozak]

It is your gun, so do what you want, but if it were mine, I would leave if as is. It has "lived" a life and life leaves it's scars on all of us. I think it is beautiful just as it is!

 

[Speedo66]

By the time you get done with an expensive refurb, you probably could have bought a near perfect original which will appreciate in value.

I like patina, I'd leave it and enjoy it as it is.

 

[Sistema1927]

Your gun, but...


...no.

You did ask.

 

[Sovblocgunfan]

Whether you refinish or not, I’d find a pair of grips for shooting and save the old ones. They do break.

 

[BigBlue 94]

I vote no because I like worn pistols.

My 1903 is too nice not to have been reblued at some point, although I have no clue.

 

[bgw45]

I appreciate the character and patina of the original finish..... but it's not mine.....

 

[Whiterook808]

You could always send it off to Nutmeg Sports;