Uberti SAA grip finish

hatman · February 24, 2017, 09:55:55 PM

I have to preface by saying I've had a lot of fun with my Uberti's, but I'm wondering tonight about the grip finishes.
I know some folks don't like discussion about "period correct", but is the somewhat red and glossy finish the way 19th Century Colts would have left the factory?
If not, what would they have looked like?

Abilene · February 24, 2017, 11:49:22 PM

The color is actually pretty accurate. Many antiques have had the grips darken with age, especially the oil finish grips.

The shine from the Urethane finish is not original though it protects the grips pretty well. Originals were generally varnished or oiled.

hatman · February 25, 2017, 10:09:28 PM

Thanks Abilene.

Shenandoah · February 27, 2017, 03:35:07 PM

A little paint stripper, a blade to scrape the poly off and some coarse steel wool will remove the glossy poly finish. Then you can oil the wood as you see fit.

The grips then look pretty good.

Abilene · February 27, 2017, 05:56:29 PM

Quote from: Shenandoah on February 27, 2017, 03:35:07 PM
A little paint stripper, a blade to scrape the poly off and some coarse steel wool will remove the glossy poly finish. Then you can oil the wood as you see fit.

The grips then look pretty good.

That's what I've done to several of mine. Citristrip does a good job. The grips then are very light colored so I stain with Minwax dark walnut (which isn't all that dark), and then give it an oil finish with Formby's tung oil, Birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil, or Ballistol.
This is one finished with Ballistol:

Major 2 · February 27, 2017, 10:07:42 PM

Oh My , what ever will you think of me

Abilene ...That is a nice piece of wood ...... almost Flame walnut

Virginia Gentleman · February 28, 2017, 12:39:43 AM

Colts that were made for the civilian market were generally had their grips finished with an oil based varnish, but there were exceptions as some for the civilian market were oil finished with boiled linseed oil. Almost all of those sold to the US government were finished with boiled linseed oil as it was cheaper and faster to apply. BLO was also used for the government contracts because it met the requirements set by the government.

reno · February 28, 2017, 05:49:37 AM

I use nothing but a razor blade to remove the poly, being very careful at all edges, then I used 0000 steel wool. I then apply Brownells dark military walnut stain, let dry 24 hours buff with steel wool, then apply coats of Birchwood Tru-Oil to the desired color.

Reno

Major 2 · April 01, 2017, 02:07:01 AM

American Black walnut with only Skidmore's wood crème

Cliff Fendley · April 01, 2017, 07:56:49 AM

Looks good Major2. Is that the 32 you got a while back?

Major 2 · April 01, 2017, 09:09:03 AM

It is .... Coffin Maker is doing his magic on it now

hatman · April 01, 2017, 04:21:02 PM

Quote from: Major 2 on April 01, 2017, 09:09:03 AM
It is .... Coffin Maker is doing his magic on it now

Beautiful grips, Major.

Major 2 · April 01, 2017, 05:49:29 PM

Thank you Sir

Abilene · April 01, 2017, 09:20:49 PM

Yes, very nice!

A few years back when Cimarron first added Piettas to their line, the first guns all had oil finish grips. I was thinking, yeah all right! But I guess the boss man didn't like it?? Because after a very short time they all started coming with a Urethane finish like the Ubertis.

RRio · July 01, 2017, 06:45:29 PM

Quote from: Abilene on February 27, 2017, 05:56:29 PM
That's what I've done to several of mine. Citristrip does a good job. The grips then are very light colored so I stain with Minwax dark walnut (which isn't all that dark), and then give it an oil finish with Formby's tung oil, Birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil, or Ballistol.
This is one finished with Ballistol:

Very Nice!