WTK: Royal Blue 1911's

[Peter-Paul]

Hello,

I am thinking of sending a Stock colt series 70 or 80 to Hartford to have it completely polished and royal blued. Would it be better to send a blued gun, or a stainless one? Can I expect the markings to be ground off? I would prefer to find one of the old TALO guns, but I cannot find one anywhere for a decent price!. Any advice would be great!

 

[railroader]

Can't blue stainless. Mark

 

[Peter-Paul]

I saw a blued Dan Wesson 1911 that was once stainless. Not sure how they did that, but it was done. It was not a duracoat type finish; it was blued. If I could just find one of the TALO guns, I would do that.

 

[The Wiry Irishman]

You can put IonBond on stainless, and it has virtually the same appearance as bluing.

 

[rondog]

This is a Colt 01911 WWI repro that a feller on another board sent to Colt for custom bluing. It was the unpolished Carbonia Blue finish to begin with, I have one just like it but unmodified. I have more photos of it, it's gorgeous IMO.

 

[bigfatdave]

I have more photos of it, it's gorgeous IMO.

Get posting then!

 

[RonBernert]

^^^ What he said!^^^ I'd LOVE to see pics.. Thanks!

 

[Peter-Paul]

RonDog,

That is AWESOME!! You mentioned that it was the unpolished Carbonia blued 1911. Did the craftsmen at Colt polish everything for you? This pistol would be a gift for my wife, who loves shooting 45 auto. I also plan on getting some Handmade Grips from Turkey to match the pistol. You really have a beautiful pistol there!

 

[Old Fuff]

Colt's "Royal Blue," which is not "Carbonia blue - a process used by S&W, or "Charcoal Blue," another process used by Colt during the 19th and early 20'th centuries; can only be applied to high-carbon, not stainless steel. The color is dependent on the high degree of polishing before the actual bluing is done, and Colt uses among other things, special polishing wheels that are contoured to match the shape of the part being polished.

On a special order basis, Colt will Royal Blue a number of their current or earlier products; but because of the extraordinary handwork the job is very expensive - to say the least. If you are considering getting a gun refinished, get a quote first.

 

[Gunslinger686]

rondog all i can say is DANG!