Refinishing Colt Parts

[Rimcrew]

Can Colt parts be refinished in a manner which looks original?

 

I have a couple small parts which would look better refinished, but I don't want them to look refinished, if that makes sense.

 

I know they won't display wear patterns, but the finish is so dissimilar to the receiver, that I would prefer to have them redone . Not trying to hide anything, just prefer they look fresher than they do.

 

If this is possible, who would you trust to do a great job with hard to replace Colt parts?

[TSMGguy]

Paul Krogh, p-k@q.com. The guy's an artist, the best there is.

[TD.]

What small parts are you talking about?

[Rimcrew]

What small parts are you talking about?

 

Actuator, Mag Release.

[Black River Militaria CII]

No, not really, but it is possible to come close, in my opinion. I assume you are concerned about the color, in order to make the appearance blend with the surrounding color. The mag release will always look restored due to the flat surfaces which are relentless tattletales, and once disturbed there is no going back. The actuator has knurling on rounded surfaces which breaks up the light and will reduce the color and texture differences and the flat part is mostly under the receiver top. Matching aged Colt bluing is tough to do for many reasons mixed especially between metal prep and it's response to the bluing solution and the bluing solution itself. Metal prep is always a giveaway that a part has been restored. Starting with a pristine completely unmarred part gives an advantage to bringing the part close to original appearance but if it is in such good condition it won't need the reblue..... any slight deterioration of the metal for any reason will always reveal the work done to alleviate the disturbance. Colt blued surfaces are like surface of a still pond; the slightest disturbance shows up.

Turnbull Restorations in Bloomfield, NY is an exceptional resource specifically for early Colt 1911s and seems be able to reproduce that type of early blue. Might be worth talking to his shop.

But, maybe you already know all this.

You are agreeable to a close match which can be done so that makes it somewhat simpler and you won't be disappointed. Worth doing at any rate. Good luck! FWIW

Edited October 14, 2019 by Black River Militaria CII

[darrylta]

Besides Turnbull, you should consider RGS Restorations. They did the bluing on Colt's WWI tribute 1911 guns marked WMK.

I hear their backed up so be prepared to be on a waiting list.

 

I own one of these WMK 1911's, they did a great job replicating Colt's carbonia finish bluing which was also used on the original 1921

Thompsons.

 

Have fun in your search,

Darryl

Edited October 14, 2019 by darrylta

[Sig]

Besides Turnbull, you should consider RGS Restorations.

Have fun in your search,

Darryl

 

Agree with Darryl, I have used RGS Restorations and they did a great job, not cheap either.

 

I do agree with Black River Militaria CII getting a match will be hard. There was another finish restorer who also did the Carbonia finish, who has since passed, as I remember he once shared that the new finish on a part, could be made to look a bit worn closer to the the rest of the gun. What I remember him mentioning was using a chamois cloth, no further details shared or remembered and for all I know perhaps I remembered it wrong. I did not have anything refinished that was then worn to mach anything but sharing perhaps there are some tricks to the very high end finish restoration trade, that the artists have to use that are not widely known or shared.