Gun Bluing

[Rick]

I have a S&W CTG in .38 with a 6 inch barrel that belonged to my uncle. He carried it while on the police force in Salem, OR. I'm guessing it's a late 50's model. If anyone has the S&W book let me know and I'll pm you the serial number. It would be nice to know when it was made.

The weapon is in very good shape but it does have a lot of holster wear. The bore is spotless. It doesn't look like he put many rounds through it. There is no rust

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I'd very much like to have it reblued. Since it was an uncle's it has more sentimental value to me than anything. Of course, I don't want to screw it up or have someone else screw it up. I'd like a factory new finish on it. This has been a safe queen for many years but I'd like to change that too.

Can anyone recommend a smith that can reblue it or does anyone on here do that? I know there's a lot of work involved to disassemble, clean it, reblue and reassemble it. However, I've never done it nor have I had a gun reblued. I'm open to recommendations.

Thanks.

[hunter63]

I guess I just have to ask........Why?
That is gorgeous as it is.

I had a Ithaca Model 37 16 ga from my uncle re-blued that had been left in a dap basement and had surface rust......even then didn't look right.

I would check local for gun smiths, not "armorers"....that build AR's.....
My guy died and his son didn't want to keep it going.

[Rick]

I guess protection more than anything. I've actually waxed it using car wax to help prevent rust since it's down to bare metal in some areas.

[kyratshooter]

Rick, there are so few gunsmiths of quality left, and they are so expensive, that I have given up dealing with any of them.

Most people claiming the title have no more ability than a chimp with a screwdriver, and most of the gunsmithing schools are a farce set up to collect veterans educational benefit checks and student loans.

A botched polishing job in prep for a reblue can totally destroy a gun.

And beware of those "armorers" as Hunter stated. An armorer's course is usually 2 days instruction on how to detail field strip and replace obviously broken parts. Honest! I hear people bragging about being certified armorers for this that or the other and laugh at their con-job. anyone that read the owners' manual or read the complete factory service PDF on the computer knows the same thing.

I would contact the S&W service department or their "Custom Shop". At the very least you will be referred to a S&W approved technician who will not screw up the pistol to badly.

One of the advantages of a factory rework is that if one keeps the papers a factory restoration enhances the value of the gun where a local gunsmith working on it decreases the value.

I have several friends that have done the factory rework with Colt SSA revolvers and basically got a new gun back from the factory, with new gun value attached.

S&W will also do a history on the gun for you if you ask.

S&W M&P models in that shape go for between $300-$500 and you do not want to look up what a new one will cost. The last price I saw on a new M10 was $700+ and the quality of workmanship in the older gun surpasses anything made today.

If I am not mistaken from the photos that one was made after 1955. They changed the action in 1955 and the hammers are different.

[Rick]

I hadn't thought of that. I'll give them a call. Thanks.

[natertot]

Ditto what hunter said. Contact the factory and have them do it. It will cost a bit, but the guaranteed results and the increase in value (not that you wanna sell it) make it the best option.

[Williepete]

Rick, I have several old guns of my Grandfathers. I took two into the gun shop, asking about value and rebluing. He advised that having it reblued would lower the value of them. Now I don't know what the value of your pistol would be, but you might be better off to leave it as is.

Bill

[DaddyOh]

Dont blue it!!!
You will completely ruin any value. In fact it will be nearly worthless if u blue it.

Or considering that you're the mod who defaced my profile: go ahead and cold blue it by hand. Use 44 40 cold blue. Itll make your pistol soooo cool.

[hunter63]

Dont blue it!!!
You will completely ruin any value. In fact it will be nearly worthless if u blue it.

Or considering that you're the mod who defaced my profile: go ahead and cold blue it by hand. Use 44 40 cold blue. Itll make your pistol soooo cool.

Man, what a smooth talker.....LOL

[natertot]

Man, what a smooth talker.....LOL

No kidding!

Actually, if it were me I would keep it as is. Not because of money value, but the sentimental value you spoke of. The thinning of the blue put on it every time your uncle pulled it in and out of its holster. The scratches, dings, and dents it acquired because of the scuffles he got into. Too me, these would be considered sentimental customizations. As long as nothing is interfering with the safe operation of the pistol, let it be. You can always re-blue and refinish it, but once it is done, you can't go back. Just my opinion on what I would do in your shoes.

But if you were to get it refinished, let the factory do it.

[Tokwan]

Just keep it well oiled...this is the same model that I first used when I joined the Police...nope..I am not that old...its just that Malaysian Royal Police gave old guns to the new guys .....at that time...hehehehe....it shoots pretty well though....

[Rick]

Or considering that you're the mod who defaced my profile:

If I knew what you were talking about that might have had an impact. I change profiles all the time to ensure they are in line with forum rules. Removing URLs (except in signatures) to personal sites, removing profanity, religion or something degrading to a group of folks or avatars of same is done all the time. You are just one of many so no need to feel special.

[crashdive123]

I understand the desire to blue it if you are converting it from safe queen to user and hope one day it will be used by others in the family. Cool gun - cooler history. Hope it turns out well.

[Wildthang]

Rick that bluing wear is what I call character. Some of my favorite guns have worn bluing, chipped or scratched stock, on and on, and I wouldn't change them for the world.
I had an old police pistol like yours, not a S&W and was not a keepsake. I wiped some acetone on the worn bluing areas to get rid of the oil, and used cold bluing to just touch up the spots and it came out looking much better, and still had most of the original bluing on the gun!
The new bluing was not as dark as the original but it looked much better than it did!

[randyt]

That's a nice looking handgun, a classic. I have its twin, right down to the holster wear.

[Rick]

I decided to leave it as is. I paired it up with a gently used Don Hume Border Patrol for left hand. I'm pleased with it.

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[hunter63]

Fantastic....I love it when a plan comes together.....The history or every carry is proudly displayed....of a job well done.

[kyratshooter]

yep, six inch barrels on service revolvers brings back memories of TV favorites; Highway Patrol, Chips, Adam 12 and Andy of Mayberry.

Almost every home in town had a 38 revolver in Dad's sock drawer and we slept with the doors unlocked.

[crashdive123]

Love the combo of gun and holster.

[DaddyOh]

If I knew what you were talking about that might have had an impact. I change profiles all the time to ensure they are in line with forum rules. Removing URLs (except in signatures) to personal sites, removing profanity, religion or something degrading to a group of folks or avatars of same is done all the time. You are just one of many so no need to feel special. [/COLOR]

Im talking about you posting SUPERANNOYING on my avatar. I woulda thought it obvious to anyone who isnt Stevie Wonder.