Rebluing an old Smith & Wesson revolver

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McCoy

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I have an old Smith & Wesson model 27 (1970 era) that would need rebluing, but i would like to have a bluing that replicate the bluing process of the old Smith & Wesson revolver, a real bright shiny blue not black.

Anyone know if there is a gunsmith in Canada who would do such bluing.

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You may have to settle for something close instead. As I have reed the chemicals used for that lovely old bluing were highly toxic and are not used or even sold any longer.
 
The process S & W used is not available to gunsmiths... it is a very expensive set up suitable for large manufacturers.
 
Even Smith hasn't done it for eons. Late 20's, as I recall. Know a guy who owns a BAR LMG with it. 'Pretty' is an understatement.
There's a good explanation of the process and why it's not done in Post #6 here. No idea how accurate it is. No W's.
smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-hand-ejectors-1896-1961/96132-s-w-bluing-methods.html
 
I think you misunderstood me, or maybe i wasn't clear enough, when i say old i was talking about the bluing process of the 60s & 70s, not the 20s.

I'm looking for a factory bluing 1970 era, as close as possible to the factory S&W bluing, not matte black or beadblasted, just a nice old bluing.
Does anyone knows a gunsmith whos ''specialised'' in this kind of job ?

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Post 4 still applies...

No individuals do that process which will do a blue as the 50 year old Smiths have.

I don't know if S & W still do it the old way they did... it involved large furnaces with an induced atmosphere...
 
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There are a ton of "tips" on the internet, such as http:[remove this]//www.guntechtips.com/bluing/bluing.htm

Short version: I guess if you really, really want it, you'll need to learn to do this yourself ... or find someone crazy enough to try.

The 2 oz tube of Birchwood Casey "Permablue" I have, when used with an ammonia-based finish remover (first) and really hot parts (just becoming uncomfortable to hold) appears to do reasonable deep blue color. I'm not sure I'd want to do a whole pistol or revolver with the stuff, and durability may be questionable, but the results are pretty. Sorry, photo skillz are lacking, as are many others:

t0s2lv.jpg


(Restricted "factory" SIG P225 barrel -- modified by me)

You can see the blue sheen on the barrel. I haven't fired that pistol yet to see how the barrel finish holds up, it got several cycles of cleaning, boiling water, blue, polish, repeat... this is the only do-it-yourself product I've seen which isn't a coating (Blue Wonder) and gets that deep blue color.

I have no idea how old the Birchwood Casey tube of blue goo is. 5 years at least. Formulas change, products become better or worse, and of course the steel also decides a great deal of the finish color. There are a LOT of threads about bluing though.

If it were my model 27 and I was hell-bent to get the right color on it, I'd learn how to do proper boiled bluing (on stuff that doesn't count) and test on a few lesser pieces. Then I'd do a great job and come back here and brag about the results. A lot of effort for a little bragging though. As far as paying someone to do it, the Canadian way, you've heard the Pros: there ain't no such thing.

Cheaper to find a minty one, sell the one you have as a "shooter", and move on. They are wonderful guns, I have the model 28 with the lesser finish and a 4" prohib barrel, and it is the most accurate handgun I have ever fired.
 
Where are you at?
I know a couple smiths that hot blue.
The look is all in the prep work and the money involved.
people bead blast because it is easy and fast.
I am in Sask.
P.S. if you want the high gloss finish like these old guns had, with no rounded off corners, you could
buy another gun for the cost of that.
 
marshall said:
Where are you at?
I know a couple smiths that hot blue.
The look is all in the prep work and the money involved.
people bead blast because it is easy and fast.
I am in Sask.
P.S. if you want the high gloss finish like these old guns had, with no rounded off corners, you could
buy another gun for the cost of that.
Click to expand...

He wants the colour of the old guns, not the high polish 'black' blue our modern hot blues give..
 
guntech said:
He wants the colour of the old guns, not the high polish 'black' blue our modern hot blues give..
Click to expand...

Well, i sure would like to see what is the final product of the high polish black blue if the old process isn't available anywhere in Canada.

Of course bead blast is out of the question and price is not a problem if the job is well done.

But i don't want to give the gun to someone who's not familiar with bluing.

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