Early Auto's

redshooter

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Central Ontario
Just going through the survivor's still residing in the safe. This is one that almost ended up in the scrap bin. I was going to sell it but the potential buyer was going to strip it to add to his parts inventory. It's condition is far too good to let that happen, so I kept it. I was thinking of spending the day making a new set of scales for the grip, dug out a few fine examples of Ebony, Purpleheart, and Lignun Vitae to consider for the job. When I took the scales off I was pleasantly suprised to see some nice grain that wasn't so obvious under the yellowed varnish. A little sand paper and Tung oil and it looks so nice I'm going to just leave it for now. Does anyone recognize these as an aftermarket accessory? When they were that horrid yellow shade I thought they were just some handmade hunks of scrap, but the underside reveals that if they're hand made the guy knew what he was doing.

It's a bummer the finish has turned patina. I see a crazy spread in the price these things are offered for sale at. Nice ones tend to have an asking price of over $500. I'm seriously considering rebluing this, or perhaps have it plated. If it weren't for the patina I'd call the condition VG, but in it's current state does it have any real collectable value? I'm thinking plating it over the patina won't change it's value much. It seems to me there are a fair number of nice examples so would I be really ruining a pistol that is, let's face it, only as valuble as what someone will pay for it. Not only that each year there are less of us that have that wonderful little 12(6) on the back of our licence.

Any comments about my little scheme?

Anyone have a few pics of some nice old auto's they care to share?

I'm looking for some original scales, if anyone has a surplus (and some patience). I'd put up an ad but that would require money and I'm already over my head :bangHead:.

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Glad to see someone else who likes the 1908/1903 Colt. The slabs look handmade to me, I've never seen any in that shape before. If you decide to sell, let me know, especially if it is a .380. I have two from the early 1920 s one original about ninety percent and one that I have partly put through rebuild and refinish. You really don't want to know what it looked like when I started.

cheers
 
What no nice old Auto's?????

Ok how about Pocket Auto vs. Pocket Revolver?

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The black originals weren't with the gun (the Colt). It shouldn't be that hard to find a good set, haven't really looked in any serious way.

It's stamped on the side C. N. EX. No. 859, does that mean anything to any one?

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