Restore or Leave it Be

[SIXGUN JIM]

Restore it or leave it alone, whats everyones thoughts ?

 

I am thinking I like the old world patina and the factory grips just work on this one. 

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

6 minutes ago, SIXGUN JIM said:

I am thinking I like the old world patina and the factory grips just work on this one.

Then what are you asking about?

[SIXGUN JIM]

Obviously other opinions or examples of restored colts

[Texas Jack Black]

 More info on Colt also  that grip panel looks to nice to go with that finish .More pics please and a date.

 

Best Wishes

[Rip Snorter]

I would give it a soak and thorough, but very gentle cleaning.  Very nice gun!

[Crusty Knees]

With that 2 position cylinder pin, this looks like an Italian repro that's had a vinegar bath and a pair of repro grip panels.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I'd leave this one alone.  It's not pretty, but it's aged honestly and is still shootable.   The grips are nice too.    Also, it is an example of faded from it's original finish.

Now, this thing, on the other hand...



...is downright UGLY.  It started out as blued with a case hardened frame.  The current finish is a very bad dipped in chrome.   The grips are broken and worn smooth.   Parts of it have even been gold plated for some reason.   This one would be a PRIME candidate for a restoration.   However, before it was dipped it was over polished to smooth.  All of the markings are gone except for the patent dates and serial number.  So much so that if you compare it to another pistol, you can see that a lot of metal has been scrubbed off.  This one is actually too far gone to restore.  I actually took it to a local gunsmith who specializes in antique restorations, and he said he could do it, but he'd have to restore so much metal that it would be prohibitively expensive.

And when all is said and done, it works flawlessly and is a good shooter.   So, while I may get new grips, that's all I'll do to it.

Now, if yours was as is finish wise, but not functional, I'd be more likely to do a restoration.  Or, if it was not as bad as this chrome thing, but worse than yours, then yes, I'd consider restoring.

I hope this makes sense.

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

Sorry...I'm not going to post pictures...

 

So the questions is: Restore or Refinish?

 

Phantom

PS: Doubt that those are the original grips...

Edited December 6, 2024 by Phantom, SASS #54973

[Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933]

The base pin does not look like a 2 position.  It looks like the stock pin that is not fully seated up to the shoulder on the pin.

[SIXGUN JIM]

47 minutes ago, Crusty Knees said:

With that 2 position cylinder pin, this looks like an Italian repro that's had a vinegar bath and a pair of repro grip panels.

Nope its a very unused Colt that lived in a dank holster since about 1920

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

9 minutes ago, SIXGUN JIM said:

Nope its a very unused Colt that lived in a dank holster since about 1920

Did you not want to answer my question?

 

Phantom

[John Kloehr]

Clean it up and enjoy shooting it unless the collector-oriented members suggest preserving it.

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

5 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

Clean it up and enjoy shooting it unless the collector-oriented members suggest preserving it.

What does "Clean up" mean?

 

Phantom

[John Kloehr]

6 minutes ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said:

What does "Clean up" mean?

 

Phantom

Gentle oiling/cleaning of the exterior to remove dirt but not finish or patina.

 

Tear down and remove caked oil or grease from any moving parts and properly oil.

 

This only after careful inspection of the bore and cylinders for damage or erosion suggesting the gun is not safe to shoot.

 

But if it has collector value, I am mindful of the reality of doing anything at all to (example) a collectible coin diminishes its value, hence my caveat regarding collectors.

[Texas Jack Black]

 still would like a date of manufacture Also who did the steel wool cleaning ?

[SIXGUN JIM]

There is some signs of a little scrubbing so if it was done it was before 1920, previous owner had it hanging in a tack room with a couple old rifles since 1920. Was buried with all kinds of horse stuff , bridles and blankets.  Year is a 1901

[Barry Sloe]

You say that it has been in a holster since around 1920. Was that the date of manufacture? If not, when was it built?

What is the caliber?

Have you contacted Colt to get a letter of authentication? This would give you the original caliber and who it was originally shipped to.

 

BS

[John Kloehr]

1 hour ago, H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 said:

Now, this thing, on the other hand...  would be a PRIME candidate for a restoration.

Or maybe leaving it sit in a holster for a century. That one is god-awful ugly.

Edited December 6, 2024 by John Kloehr
Otto, my typo was worse than your correction

[SIXGUN JIM]

A better picture in normal light. Those other pictures kind of washed it out because of the sun. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

38 minutes ago, John Kloehr said:

Or maybe leaving it sit in a holster for a century. That one is god-awful ugly.

Hee hee hee.    It is ugly.    Letters to 1885.   In spite of its appearance, its action is flawless.   A good shooter.   And, I oddly like the gold plated parts.   In a strange way, it's got character.   Got it in 2022 for $500 at LGS.    That's something I like about old ugly guns; I can afford 'em!   .44-40 btw.

Edited December 6, 2024 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

54 minutes ago, SIXGUN JIM said:

There is some signs of a little scrubbing so if it was done it was before 1920, previous owner had it hanging in a tack room with a couple old rifles since 1920. Was buried with all kinds of horse stuff , bridles and blankets.  Year is a 1901

So I guess you don't want to answer whether you were asking about Restoring or Refinishing the revolver...???

 

Phantom

[SIXGUN JIM]

1 minute ago, Phantom, SASS #54973 said:

So I guess you don't want to answer whether you were asking about Restoring or Refinishing the revolver...???

 

Phantom

Its literally the first line in my original post, so I guess your question is just confusing.

[Phantom, SASS #54973]

1 hour ago, SIXGUN JIM said:

Its literally the first line in my original post, so I guess your question is just confusing.

Oh...gee...sorry.

 

You see there are some that use the two terms interchangeably.

 

So...you think that this Colt would be worth spending big dollars for a restoration? I would be interested to know if there was something unique...a desirable provenance perhaps? 

 

What am I missing?

 

Phantom

Edited December 6, 2024 by Phantom, SASS #54973
Spelling...I just suck at spelling...

[watab kid]

im in the leave it be and enjoy iy column 

[Grass Range]

Clean it and leave it

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Looks to be a perfectly good shooter.  Also looks like you may have already done a basic wipe-down and probably lubricated the internals.  My suggestion would be to swap out the Main spring for a nice after-market Main Spring, perhaps also change out the Trigger/Bolt spring and shoot it a lot.  Your not looking had a bunch of collector value regardless.  Just another nice used SAA.  Enjoy it.

[Griff]

I gotta admit that I'm ambivalent on this issue.  But, the deciding issue is more about what one plans for their gun.  One the one hand it's a 1st Gen Colt, but produced prior to when Colt certified their guns for smokeless.  Close to the cusp of that, but, in my mind unless one has information otherwise, it'd get treated like a BP era gun.  ergo, if I was to want to shoot it, it'd be with BP loads only.  And if I wanted to compete with it in cowboy action... I doubt it would survive long in stock form.  Which at a minimum means a main spring change...  While there's folks that defarb their guns to look like yours... I'm of the camp that if in my "pretend west" it's 1886, my SAA Colt, Winchester, even at 13 years old ain't looking like it's 151 years old.  (Or in this case, 123).   'Tis why my 38 year old 1851 is going to get a refinish to replace what's been lost in it CAS career!  Can't have my 1860 Henry looking newer than it... right?

 

On the other hand, when it comes to antique firearms, there's the crowd that feels we're simply custodians of 'em for awhile.  And should keep them in a condition that honors their wear & tear, while maintaining them to a high mechanical degree.  And as I think Phantom alluded, especially if they have an important provenance.

 

But, hey, that's just my opinion, other folks feel differently.  It's YOUR gun, do with it what you will.  I have guns that show their age... and I ain't gonna change 'em... They've earned their warts...  I have a low SASS #, & ergo, am obviously not a good source of info.  😛

[Texas Jack Black]

 Do all the parts number the same? are there any parts replaced? If it letters and is a run of the mill Colt. Just clean it up and shoot it No abrasives .

To restore might cost 2-5 thousand 

Still a nice looking Colt

[DeaconKC]

It will only be original once. Preserve it, it earned it's blemishes.

[SIXGUN JIM]

1 hour ago, Texas Jack Black said:

 Do all the parts number the same? are there any parts replaced? If it letters and is a run of the mill Colt. Just clean it up and shoot it No abrasives .

To restore might cost 2-5 thousand 

Still a nice looking Colt

It letters, all the numbers match and are correct with great quality for a piece this old. The markings haven’t been restamped or tampered with. It doesn’t have any historical significance other than being old and in great shape for a working piece

Edited December 6, 2024 by SIXGUN JIM

[SIXGUN JIM]

On another note if the master himself Cozmo is in here from the Colt Forum send me a message. I lost all your contact info from our PM’s and am locked out of my account on the forum

[Texas Jack Black]

47 minutes ago, SIXGUN JIM said:

On another note if the master himself Cozmo is in here from the Colt Forum send me a message. I lost all your contact info from our PM’s and am locked out of my account on the forum

 Go over to the Colt site. 

As a side gun is a nice shooter but from your replies you already knew. Now value Nice  Ist gen with poor finish messed with  2500 IMHO

 

Best Wishes

[Warden Callaway]

I had this 1906 38WCF refinished by Spring Creek Armory in Ten Sleep Wyoming.  He did other work on it like restore the front sight to original height.

 

[watab kid]

thats a really nice looking job on that one but im still in the camp of leaving the OPs revolver alone 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

PLUS ONE for watab kid.  Beyond changing out the Main Spring (Pietta's new Main Spring is Superb) and the Trigger/Bolt spring (Pietta's flat Trigger Bolt spring is also superb).   I'd personally be running it an a bunch of CAS events loaded with 3F APP you betcha!! (It is a 1st Gen BP gun after all)