Jump to content

A Tale Of Two Drums


Recommended Posts

If Paul at Diamond K didn't already have enough glowing recommendations, let me add another to showcase his work on my Colt drum refinishing project. Some of you may remember that earlier this year I posted pictures of two numbered Colt drums I located that had been rusting away in a garage for some forty odd years. My original dilemma was whether to refinish or not. They were pretty severely rusted, but luckily, not too severely pitted, so I thought I'd have one done to see how it turned out. Below are the before and after pictures of Colt drum # 3227. Also provided are comparison pictures, for texture and color, of the refinished drum next to an original finish Worcester drum from the period.

 

Enjoy the photos.

 

 

 

Drum # 3227 in condition found and after refinishing.

 

http://members.aol.com/chuck375/3227drum.jpg

 

 

Another close-up view of face plate and rust.

 

http://members.aol.com/chuck375/3227druma.jpg

 

 

Condition of inside surfaces after restoration.

 

http://members.aol.com/chuck375/3227drumb.jpg

 

 

Front view comparison of refinished drum and original finish Worcester drum.

 

http://members.aol.com/chuck375/3227drumc.jpg

 

 

Back view of refinished drum and original finish Worcester drum.

 

http://members.aol.com/chuck375/3227drumd.jpg

 

All thinsg considered I think it tremendously improved the look of the drum and I am going to have the second one done as well. By the way, Paul also restored the feed lips to proper specifications and removed a couple of minor dents. It was test fired it and it worked flawlessly. Not bad for sitting around in less than ideal conditions for eighty years or so.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What is not to like!....absolutely beautiful!....we live in a great time and country with such craftsmen...just can`t wait to get some of my stuff back....counting the days.. http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/wink.gif
Link to comment
Share on other sites

PhilOhio,

 

Good observation Phil. Although both drums were covered in rust and had turned the original finish almost completely brown, the metal was not severely pitted. This obviously made all the difference. What I was most completely satisfied with was the bluing process that PK uses, matches almost identically in texture and color to the original finish of my other drum. Some slight pitting is evident under the bluing but there is obviously nothing that can be done about this.

 

A serious collector would obviously be able to tell the drum has been refinished. If it was ever for sale I certainly wouldn't try to fool anyone into thinking it was original. It looks and functions better this way instead of continuing to rust into oblivion. I looked at the process more as a preservation issue, rather than attempting to have a perfect looking drum.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

QUOTE (gijive @ Jun 20 2004, 10:03 AM)
It looks and functions better this way instead of continuing to rust into oblivion.  I looked at the process more as a preservation issue, rather than attempting to have a perfect looking drum.

This quote from your statement, gijive, just about says it all. I think you made the right decision, in restoring and preserving a piece of history! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif Congratulations!! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/smile.gif Excellent work, P.K.!!! http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/cool.gif Best Regards, Walter

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...