Restoring a Python

[abrasive]

Hey,
I've recently aquired a ~late '70 (IMS) Colt Python from my dad. I think he may have fired a dozen shots or so from it in the 80's when he first bought it, but aside from that it's been sitting in a safe for the last ~25 years.
The problem is the blueing has worn through in a couple places, like on the side of the barrel (looks like holster wear from the previous owner), and there's some surface rust around the front sight.
I'll post some pictures soon so you have a better idea of the gun's condition.
My question is how to/should I properly restore the gun.
Would a professional reblueing bring it back to "like new" condition, or would you be able to tell it had been reblued?
Would reblueing bring the value of the gun down, or raise it (not that I plan on selling)?
What would you do? And why?

If you'd have it reblued, do you have someone in mind that would do a good job? Any ideas on what a job like that would cost?

 

[dan belisle]

Get Colt to reblue it. - dan

 

[Talljoe]

I'd just use it.

Why spend on cosmetics that are going to get spoiled as soon as you use it ? You are going to use it ?

It's a shooter. A great shooter. Super gun, and has some 'character' now. Just use it !

TJ

 

[capp325]

Get Colt to reblue it. - dan

Big $$$ and big hassle with shipping across the border.

 

[Silverback]

I would just leave it, like Talljoe said it gives it character, just keep it oiled from now on.

 

[NAA]

I would just leave it, like Talljoe said it gives it character, just keep it oiled from now on.

+1

Other than cleaning it up, just leave it as is & enjoy it....

 

[dan belisle]

Big $$$ and big hassle with shipping across the border.

Yup, but if you want that Colt royal blue done right, there aren't a lot of other options. And as to the cost, last one I had done (a while ago though) was $128 US. - dan

 

[highlander]

If you are going to use the gun, I would just buff down the rust spots with some fine steel wool and use a touch up blue like G96. This should keep it from rusting any further, and protect the metal.

If you want to return it to original, you will have to send it back to Colt, no one else can match that beautiful deep blue like the factory original.

Good luck.

 

[prproulx]

Jason Spencer at Gunco in Ottawa can come pretty close. I would get a quote from him, 613-224-6266
I don't like the idea of leaving the bare metal especially since there is already rust on it.
But then again I like black shiney guns!

 

[richardoldfield]

I voted leave it alone. Why? Restoring the handgun will destroy its collectors value. Regards, Richard

 

[X-man]

If you are going to use the gun, I would just buff down the rust spots with some fine steel wool and use a touch up blue like G96. This should keep it from rusting any further, and protect the metal.

If you want to return it to original, you will have to send it back to Colt, no one else can match that beautiful deep blue like the factory original.

Good luck.

Don't take steel wool and G96 Cold Blue to your Python! If its just mild surface rust, a simple cleaning cloth and some gun oil should be sufficient to clean it. Just use several clean cloths that are free of particulate. Even using 0000 steel wool, you'll damage the bluing further, trying to remove light surface rust, and one of the main attractions these old school Pythons have, is their Royal Blue finishes. If you plan on shooting/using it, I wouldn't bother having Colt refinish it (the only company I'd ever think of giving a Python to!). If you plan on simply keeping it as a shiny safe queen, then by all means, have Colt refinish it. It should make for a nice family heirloom. However, any refinishing will destroy any potential future collectibility. So...I'd simply enjoy it now and appreciate it as being a fine example of the pinnacle of the revolversmith's art.

 

[Holleyman]

Get a couple cans of Krylon camo and tie strap a flash light under the barrel and you can have a tactical Python!

 

[johnkwok]

I totally agree with the advice you have received so far.

about 20 years ago, i had to send a python for a complete re-blue. learnt to never leave a gun in those fake wool gunrugs,ever. the re-blue was alright, high polish, but darker than the original royal blue finish. the royal blue had more "depth" and not flat looking like regular blue, i think

One of my recent pythons came from an out of province gun store. it was a 1975 model, hardly fired but the rcmp had it at some point before the gun store got it, and there was a nick on the barrel. i took out the sharp nick metal piece and thought about rebluing.

Local reliable gunsmith in saskatoon, advised to leave it alone. You would have to reblue the entire gun, so not an issue about whether different areas would match..

if you redo the whole gun, i think it will look fine, and any noticable difference would be to have 2 pythons side by side, in order to notice any discrepancies as to the new bluing compared to the original royal blue finish. otherwise, no one could tell

I think what you have there is "honest holster wear" and acceptable history involving your family, if you intend to shoot it once in a while, leave it alone.

i use a touch cold blue very lightly on the bald spot,now and then, and keep it oiled. regards

 

[abrasive]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I'll leave it alone. For now at least.
I'm not too concerned with the finish getting much worse, as I always wipe it down after a gropping session and put a light coat of oil on it every now and again.
If, in the future, I decide I'd like a nice shiny one, I'll either send it off to Colt, or cough up the bucks to buy another one.

 

[G37]

It's never going to be worth a million dollars... screw bluing, I'd Parkerize it !!

 

[Scocou]

<snip> My question is how to/should I properly restore the gun.<snip>

Hmm... just a '70's Python, not exactly an heirloom... if it was a 4-digit serial number you would indeed have a problem (rust) worth worrying about.

<snip> Would a professional reblueing bring it back to "like new" condition, or would you be able to tell it had been reblued?<snip>

+1 to sending it to Colt, then it would be almost like new. Their finishing skills are not what they once were. Cost to ship it to them across the border and reblue would likely be absurd.

<snip> Would reblueing bring the value of the gun down<snip>

Definitely to me, although this could depend on the buyer.

<snip>What would you do? And why?<snip>

Sell it, add the rebluing money, buy a mint example. Or police up that rust, cold-blue the finish wear, then shoot it. Cheers

 

[NAA]

All tied up at 11 on each side....

 

[capp325]

Don't take steel wool and G96 Cold Blue to your Python! If its just mild surface rust, a simple cleaning cloth and some gun oil should be sufficient to clean it. Just use several clean cloths that are free of particulate.

Failing that, try Flitz metal polish.