"They don't make 'em like they used to..." Part XXVII

[Tamara]

So, the other morning I'm getting ready for work. It's still dark outside and as I'm walking through the house, something catches my eye. It's my '64 vintage Model 27, sitting on the coffee table in the half-light. It's sitting between two other "blued" revolvers, a 586 and a 544, both of '86 vintage, but compared to what's between them, they look parkerized. The 27 is like a black hole in the coffee table, save the glints off the high spots. No.. no... that's not really right... You could definitely see it, it just looked like black chrome, all star-light and bible black. You know, so black it glowed.

Whatever process they used to get this level of lustre out of the old 27/57/29's, it was definitely worth it, though...

 

[Old Fuff]

Tamara;

It's not the blue itself, it's in the polishing that was done before the parts went into the blue tank. If you had seen your model 27 then it would have looked like it was nickel plated plated. Getting the polish to this point took special countoured buffing wheels and extra work by skilled workmen. The expense of doing that has pretty well put this kind of finish out of the picture. But if someone is willing to spend the money (or do their own polishing) those fine finishes can still be duplicated.

 

[Litlman]

I to have seen the "black Glass" blueing that you have observed and appreciate. They don't make them the way they used to and that is one of the reasons that the old S&W's have such a loyal following. My bud has a T-series BHP and a Python that are close but still not the same. Be good...

 

[Randy63]

Originally posted by Tamara:
You know, so black it glowed.

Yep, they are positively addictive.

This 29 is from 59'

Randy

 

[BigG]

You right, girl. Polishing is the secret as Ole Fuff, noted.

 

[sm]

Yep, not like they used to for sure.
Old Fuff nailed it on the polishing.

Old Fuff- is there a EPA concern with the blueing salts that in additon to labor of polishing , the costs were such that the steel guns became more cost efficient?

 

[Mike Irwin]

I read something in an old American Rifleman, probably from the 1950s or 1960s, that said that when S&W introduced the Registered .357 Mag. as a very high end gun that they added at least two, and possibly a third, buffing steps to the process, essentially doubling the amount of time that was put into the buffing processes.

 

[Old Fuff]

re1973;

I'm sure that there are some controls - you can't just pour the stuff down the storm drain. But I don't think it's a serious economic issue in most places. Otherwise the companies that offer blued guns wouldn't.

The Du-Lite Corporation in Middletown CT. provide most of the major manufacturers as well as smaller ones with blueing equipment and chemicals. Brownells in Montezuma, IA. supply many small shops and individuals. Bottom line though, is the polish job that's done on the parts before they go into the tank. A final finish of the kind representative of what is seen on older S&W .357 Magnums or Colt Pythons took a lot of work. These days it's simply not cost effective except on the high-price stuff.

That said, if an individual is willing to put in endless hours carefully hand-polishing a gun they can eventually have a finish like the classic kinds under discussion for a price that is quite affordable. The trouble comes when you pay someone else too do it.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Polishing is labor intensive.
Proper polishing, keeping the flats flat etc, is even more labor intensive.

We who have em, treasure our old beauties that project pride of workmanship.

Tho they shoot no better, they are better to shoot.
Even without an audience.

Sam

 

[Sean Smith]

Tamara, I know what you mean... I have a friend who has an old 29 that is just beautiful.

Old blued Pythons are quite nice to look at, too.

 

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

Hey Tam I'm sure that there are members here who
just dearly love the new fandangled finished weapons; or
those fabricated from stainless steel. And, surely they do
serve a useful purpose. But, I think we all loom to acquire
weapons of yester year, with that deep rich blue (black)
finish that you spoke of?

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[HogRider]

Yeah, I wish they would still make that kind of finish today....

 

[Randy63]

IMO the high point finish wise for blued S&W's were the revolvers made from the 50's through the early 60's. I have three polished blued guns from the 50's and three pre war guns, two of which are Registered Magnums. The pre war revos are very highly polished, probably more so than the post war guns but the 50's guns have more depth and shine. The blueing on a .44 magnum from 1956 is second to none, even nicer than the Registered Magnums. I'm sure the difference is in the blueing processes used during their respective time periods.

Does anyone know what those blueing processes were in the 30's and the 50's?

On a side note, the blueing on the Pythons from the late 50's was as nice, some would say nicer, than anything S&W did.

Randy

 

[Brian Dale]

Harley,

Oh, YUM! {big-burly-guy voice} That makes my heart go pitter-pat. {/big-burly-guy voice}

 

[Standing Wolf]

Harley Davidson:

Well done photograph!

 

[Nightcrawler]

I'm glad my revolvers don't have a finish like that. I'd want to wear gloves when handling them! That is beautiful to the point where I'd feel bad about shooting it...

 

[BluesBear]

HarleyD...

Dayummm that's plum purty!


<sigh>


Now where'd I'd put that drool rag?

 

[sm]

Harley Davidson...now that is nice!!


----
Old Fuff,
I appreciate your input. Many years ago I used special salts for plating , Rhodium, Gold, Silver, Copper, Nickel ... the most difficult and most critical component was polishing correctly and the metal totally de greased. Time and detail intensive. The actual plating really didn't take that long.
Been awhile since , but the powers that be were beginning to get more picky about disposal of materials. I really miss seeing the blue of old in more guns today...sigh
Thanks

 

[C.R.Sam]

Killer shot Harley.

Would indeed be difficult to afford one of the elder beauties if it were made today.
Would make 6 or 8 grand for a Korth seem less extravagent.

Sam

 

[BigG]

You economists out there...

If you normed out the price in constant dollars, you'd find the oldies cost a pretty penny, even back in the day. When I first started shooting, a S&W J frame was about $50-60, while the Colt DS was about $100 or so. The Colt GM was a princely $200, IIRC. A gagging price in those days when you made $100 a week or thereabouts. Housepayment like $75 (for comparison).

 

[Litlman]

I know that it has been said but, Harley Davidson, that is a COOL pic!!!

 

[Hutch]

Somebody had a good day back in 1980, as well. An acquaintance picked up a 6" M27 and 6.5" M25-2 with S/N's dating to that time, per SCOSW. They were both "black glass" lookers. Still has the M25-2 in the presentation case w/ tools for sale, IIRC. It is remarkable how different they appear, the BLACKness of the bluing... I have a coupla nice 'uns, but nothing like that.

 

[BluesBear]

[bracing for shock] Hutch, how much does your acquaintance want for the 25-2?

 

[jar]

Yup. It's like you could fall into the blue.

Here's a 28 and 27 side by side.

 

[Hutch]

BB, PM sent.