Is it worth getting a Colt Python reblued?

[bos19]

Let's say the original blueing has very minor wear near the cylinder and at the end of the barrel from being in a holster...Would it be worth getting the whole gun reblued or should the focus just be on maintaining it as is?

 

[MosinT53Hunter]

Let's say the original blueing has very minor wear near the cylinder and at the end of the barrel from being in a holster...Would it be worth getting the whole gun reblued or should the focus just be on maintaining it as is?

Without seeing what your talking about, I would say no. Original finish is desireable if you were to re-sell it down the road. Re-blueing it would take a bit out of the value of the gun. Just my two cents though, never could afford one, would have loved just to be able to shoot one.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I wouldn't do it. At most, I would rub a little cold blue on the worn spot, oil it and enjoy it.

 

[edwardware]

For a Python, I would either leave it alone, or have Turnbull do it. Anything in between would devalue it I think.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I feel certain a Turnbull blue job ain't cheap. A guy with a worn Python that wanted a better looking gun would be better served to sell his and buy a nicer one. There is no shortage of them.

 

[bannockburn]

bos19

I wouldn't do it. At most, I would rub a little cold blue on the worn spot, oil it and enjoy it.

What ColtPythonElite said...

 

[Slamfire]

Let's say the original blueing has very minor wear near the cylinder and at the end of the barrel from being in a holster...Would it be worth getting the whole gun reblued or should the focus just be on maintaining it as is?

No. If the bluing is in the 90% range don't reblue. If your Python is a complete brown roach color, then rebluing won't elevate or decrease the value. Might as well parkerize the thing at that point, at least the finish will be durable.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I would leave it alone if you plan on selling it. A collector would rather have a bit of honest wear and original finish than a touched up or refinished gun. If you are keeping it forever, do what makes you happy. I have a few guns that I keep simply for the joy of revelling in their glorious fit and finish and tiny imperfections make the back of my eyeballs itch......those get touched up, lol.

 

[Armored farmer]

Mine is a shooter. It came with imperfections.
I get to shoot it and carry it.

 

[entropy]

Rebluing it at this point would actually devalue it. Keep the worn areas well-oiled and enjoy it.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

One collector I knew would have the manufacturer reblue the gun -- this was true with S&W revolvers and Colts. With proper documentation (and the requisite skill of the manufacturer's craftsmen) and the manufacturer's documentation, that sort of work apparently did not affect collector value. I read recently that S&W no longer does this, but don't know if Colt still does. It might be worth a call or inquiry.

But... if someone plans to periodically use/shoot the gun in question, it's likely to be a costly process that won't be justified.

 

[Armored farmer]

The best thing about owning a python is shooting it.
It's the smoothest, well balanced, accurate handgun I've ever shot.
The only thing that ever came close was a friend's 686 Performance Center custom.
My advice, as a fellow owner, is to leave it as is and shoot it and enjoy it.

 

[HPJeep]

Don't reblue it since it will destroy the value. It's only original once.

 

[Jim Watson]

One collector I knew would have the manufacturer reblue the gun

But the collector I knew said "100% factory refinish is Zero original finish." He discouraged me from buying a nicely reblued .44 Russian, darn him.

 

[reddog81]

Even reblueing a gun with a heavily worn finish generally won't make the gun worth any more once you consider the cost of the reblue.

After you pay for shipping, stripping, conditioning, refinishing, shipping back, etc you're looking at spending hundreds of dollars and that's for a cheap reblue. If you turn a $1,500 gun into $1,800 gun, but spend $350 you're coming out behind...

 

[larryh1108]

Let's say the original blueing has very minor wear near the cylinder and at the end of the barrel from being in a holster...Would it be worth getting the whole gun reblued or should the focus just be on maintaining it as is?

I think the question is whether you want it reblued for your own satisfaction or if you want it reblued for reasons of increased value? If you just want it to be perfect for your own desire, then do it. If it is for future collector value then heed the advice here and keep it original.

 

[dfariswheel]

Colt no longer does rebluing or any other work or repairs on Pythons or any of the older Colt's.

There are any number of refinishers who can destroy a Python when rebluing it, there are only a tiny few who can do the old high polish Colt Royal Blue and not over polish the metal and botch it up.

Here's a couple of the very few who can do a Royal Blue level refinish and get it right without buffing it to death.
You'll get better results from a company who has people who do metal polishing 8 hours a day, 5 days a week then a general gunsmith......

Glenrock Blue--Custom Gun Bluing

Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing
Reportedly Ford's has corrected the situation of a couple of years ago when a new worker destroyed some customers Pythons.

Home - Custom Shop
This IS NOT the Colt Custom Shop and Colt has nothing to do with them. Their pictures look nice and a few people have given good feed back. Prices are said to be very high.

Precision Bluing | America's #1 Bluing Company!

Ron’s Gun Shop. Antique Gun Restoration, Gun Bluing and Custom Gun Blueing Services

Smith Gun – Professional Gunsmithing

 

[wbbh]

It's your firearm, do what you like.

The notion of originality is nonsensical, unless a gun is new and in the original manufacture's packaging it's not "original" again. Once it has been used it's used not new. It will be used to one degree or another, as it used it will get wear and tear and it may even be broken and repaired, some repairs may include replacement parts, it may be refinished too, it's all part of maintenance and taking care of a firearm. Un-addressed wear and finish degradation isn't "patina" it's neglect.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

..... it may be refinished too, it's all part of maintenance and taking care of a firearm. Un-addressed wear and finish degradation isn't "patina" it's neglect.

So, are you saying not reblueing a gun with a worn finish is neglect?

 

[Jim NE]

I have a Diamondback that I got for a real good price. Great gun, once I got the cobwebs worked out of it...one of my best shooting revolvers. I can't tell if it's been reblued or not. It doesn't seem to have quite the luster that some other Diamondbacks have, but it's a nice finish. That may be why I got a good price on it. I got it for about $500 less than one with a 95%+ original finish on it goes for. Maybe more. That's probably the amount of value you'll lose by refinishing it. Don't do it!

I don't mind that my gun may have been refinished, because I was the buyer who paid the lower price for what may have been a refinished gun. As a potential seller, YOU will bear the cost of devaluation from refinishing.

 

[wbbh]

So, are you saying not reblueing a gun with a worn finish is neglect?

It's not a black or white question, if extensive, the answer may be yes. Just like condition grading scales there are degrees to everything.

 

[22-rimfire]

There is no doubt what I would decide. I would keep the gun as it is and know that I can shoot it and not appreciably reduce the value with just a bit of attention.

I have a lot of nice Colt revolvers and the question at this point is always "Should I shoot it?" when I have other revolvers that many feel are just as good to shoot. So, I don't shoot the Colts. Only a Detective Special gets shot at this point.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Shoot it as is and enjoy shooting a great revolver with a trigger to match.

 

[jjadurbin]

The best thing about owning a python is shooting it.
It's the smoothest, well balanced, accurate handgun I've ever shot.
The only thing that ever came close was a friend's 686 Performance Center custom.
My advice, as a fellow owner, is to leave it as is and shoot it and enjoy it.

THIS.

 

[Hondo 60]

Would it be worth getting the whole gun reblued or should the focus just be on maintaining it as is?

Depends on what you mean by "worth it".
If you're trying to sell - no, rebluing is a big no-no.
If you're keeping it, then only you can decide if you wanna reblue.

I know, it's not much of an answer.
Just my 2¢ worth.