Colt Case Colors?

[Vmathes]

Hey,
Anyone know how Colt is doing the case coloring on their current-production SAA? I know that USFA did a true bone charcoal case hardening finish, and most Italian imports are a chemical process (which never looks quite as nice to me).

 

[BobWright]

The reports I heard recently was that Doug Turnbull was doing the case hardening for Colt, but that now Colt is doing their own again.

Turnbull has always used the bone charcoal process, as has Colt.

It is my understanding also that some Ubertis are case hardened with the bone charcoal process at the option of the importer.

Most custom gunsmiths use the bone charcoal process, or some variant of it, in their refinishing process.

Bob Wright

 

[CraigC]

Turnbull is doing them now. Far as I know, it was a false report that Colt had started doing their own again was from another restoration gunsmith who loves to deride Turnbull while espousing his own work. It's the real thing but Turnbull uses a clearcoat over his work for added protection. It also makes the colors stand out better.

 

[Willie Sutton]

And Uberti doesn't do any of theirs using charcoal. All of them are the same, no matter who imports them.


Willie

.

 

[BobWright]

Well, reckon I stand corrected!

Bob Wright

 

[Jim K]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Colt used lacquer (Clear Coat did not exist) on the case coloring of its pre-WWII single actions. Real case hardening was originally needed because the frames were iron and the moving internal parts would wear the frame if it were not hardened. When steel came into use for frames, case hardening was no longer needed, but was kept by some makers for its cosmetic appearance.

Jim

 

[CraigC]

I've heard it both ways on the old Colt's. Some say they did, some say they didn't. Turnbull also uses lacquer and it holds up much better than without.

 

[Vmathes]

Thanks, gents!
I'm looking to get a "genuine" Colt and was wondering about the case colors - I've owned a few Italian repros, which I've liked, but their case colors are never as nice as the Colts or the old USFAs.

Hey, are current-production Colts still considered Third Generation?

 

[CraigC]

Yep. Some folks 'call' the newer guns with the removable cylinder bushings and much better fit & finish "4th generation" but it's not really an official designation.

 

[BobWright]

Here is are my two Ubertis, top a .44 Special Model P imported by Cimarron, and below a .45 Colt Flat Top imported by Stoeger. The information I had at the time said Cimarrons were charcoal colored.



Bob Wright

 

[Vmathes]

Cool guns, very nice looking. I think some Cimarrons may be charcoal colored; I know they import some guns in the white and finish here in the states. I'm headed to a couple of local gun shops tomorrow to see if I can find a Colt, but if the market is dry I may get another Cimarron. I used to have their "Artillery" model and liked it real well

 

[CraigC]

Cimarron offers a "US finish" option but I imagine those are finished by Turnbull.