To re-finish a 1934 Beretta or not to re-finish?

Cordur

Cordur

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I've been thinking about polishing and re-bluing my Model 1934 and can't decide if there is a good chance I'll go to hell for it. The bluing is worn off of the end of the barrel and the slide, like from the holster and the hammer and frame have a fair bit of bluing rubbed off. I'm planning on taking it to the range and using it as I don't have a son or daughter to leave it to yet. Seems like it would be a shame to just leave it locked away until the day I die.

I suppose what I'm really worried about is that I'd be defacing a piece of history.

The other question I'd have is what can a person do about getting it re-barreled eventually? There is certainly a shortage of 3.5" barrels available. Can a gun smith re-barrel it or am I able to buy a new barrel for it in some way? It wouldn't take more than 5 seconds to swap the barrel.
 
These guns are fairly common and don't have a great deal of collector interest. If it is in 9mm Corto (.380 ACP) then go ahead and get it rebarrelled. I had two of these little guns rebarreled by the 'smith at Epps - the cost is not too high (around $150 each or so if memory serves). Once it is rebarrelled and reregistered as a regular restricted then it will be much easier to sell. Seeing as you have no one to pass the gun on to, the chances are it will be scrapped when you go anyway.
 
:slap:I kinda hate to see guns reblued/finished. I always look at an old well worn gun as one that has been well used and well loved. I've got an old S&W pistol that has been dropped and banged dozens of times. Some of the wacks in it are quite memorable...oh ya...I remember that!
It still shoots straight. I don't give it as much respect as is due because of the condition. I don't worry when I put another ding in it either. Sure...here...shoot this one newbie! I think we should just enjoy them for what they were made for. If you what a queen to keep in the safe that's ok too. But well used shooters are SPECIAL! Just my 2 cents....do as you will.:slap::wave:
 
The refinnishing or blueing is just causeing a controled rusting and stopping it at the right time,then sealing the finnish. An old gun with natural patina just means that the original blueing has just enough rust built into the blueing to make a brown color. If your gun was even worn down to the original steel a light coat of oil (or JPW)would keep it from rusting.

The finnish on a well used tool does not need to be factory new finnish.

And when you buy a 91 year old gun that looks like new(it is because it was never used much) if it ain't a safe queen just keep it oiled.

Bob
 
mandy said:
But well used shooters are SPECIAL!
Click to expand...

+1. I love to see the finish built up over time on old guns. Gives it character and tells a bit of a story. To the PO, your gun is 70+ years old, let it show that life with pride. Or re-blue it if you have a burning desire to do so, it is your gun to do with as you please.

Mark
 
for those of you that don't know , the "rebarrel " on a 34 beretta is a real complicated job- NOT- you just field strip the thing for cleaning and replace the barrel with the new one- basically, lock the slide to the rear, mag out, and the barrel pushes out and up to the rear- then the slide comes off, etc- removing the barrel is the FIRST step to cleaning these guns-
as for the rebarrel, all you need is a barrel with a bottom lug and a channel on each side for the rail- should be a simple enough to either make one or have one made- the sights are on the slide
 
I'd leave the old relic as is. Old war horses always look cool when they have some good honest wear to 'em..... ;)

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
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