GUN QUESTION?

The Arapaho Kid · September 09, 2005, 05:57:59 AM

My 1894 Colt Lightning is now up and running. I'm having a new, taller, front sight put on it 'cause it was shooting high. The gun shop manager says the rifle is now worth $1500.00 to a collector. My question here is.....the wood is a little dinged up and I'm thinking about either replacing it, or refinishing it. So the question is: Should I do this, or leave it as is?

Prof. A. Wickwire · September 09, 2005, 07:06:13 AM

Arapaho Kid,

If I was in your place, I would either leave everything as is or replace the wood and store the original stock someplace safe. I would never refinish an antique firearm with collector value.

Good luck with your choice.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

Wymore Wrangler · September 09, 2005, 07:55:35 AM

Listen to the Professor...

Col. Riddles · September 09, 2005, 11:18:55 AM

Yup Kid, the Prof is right on. Save the original front sight too.

tarheel mac · September 09, 2005, 11:26:01 AM

Yep..got to go along with that too...another solution is, of course, you could send the rifle to me to take care of it, and keep it for you...

Big John Denny · September 09, 2005, 10:03:44 PM

Kid, you know you can't trust anyone with tarheel in their name. I hereby agree to keep your sacred old rifle for you.

I would never refinish or reblue a collector grade firearm. Either one would reduce its book value by 50% or more.

The Arapaho Kid · September 10, 2005, 06:11:30 AM

Y'know.....I think you boys are right on this. I think I'll leave it as is. 'sides....that dinged up wood gives it character!

Bulls Head Bill · September 10, 2005, 05:52:36 PM

Atta Boy!......leave it alone........"dings" give it character!

If chicks dig scars.........then "dings in the wood" does too!

litl rooster · September 10, 2005, 06:21:45 PM

Now Open for Business "litl' rooster's antique weapon storage"....first 6 months free, some what honest and always reliable...so Kid if you can't trust the others....I also agree with others.

Four-Eyed Buck · September 10, 2005, 06:37:21 PM

Kid, I'll throw in with the others, leave'r as is. And yes, it does give them character.......Buck

The Arapaho Kid · September 10, 2005, 08:42:59 PM

IT'S DONE! I AIN'T DOIN' SQUAT WITH THE WOOD ON THAT GUN!

Hemlock Mike · September 10, 2005, 09:03:09 PM

GOOD -- AND, keep the "cold blue" away from it too.

Mike

The Arapaho Kid · September 10, 2005, 09:45:34 PM

Quote from: Hemlock Mike on September 10, 2005, 09:03:09 PM
GOOD -- AND, keep the "cold blue" away from it too.

Mike

I am not familiar with this. What is it?

Sod Buster · September 10, 2005, 09:48:55 PM

Quote from: The Arapaho Kid on September 10, 2005, 09:45:34 PM
Quote from: Hemlock Mike on September 10, 2005, 09:03:09 PM
GOOD -- AND, keep the "cold blue" away from it too.

Mike

I am not familiar with this. What is it?

Unless you know what you are doing, stay away from that stuff. "Cold Blue" is a common touch-up bluing found down at your corner gunshop that is simply swabbed on and then rinsed off, usually with plain tap water.

From a gunsmith web site:
"It's a rare neophyte who hasn't attempted to blue an entire gun with a cold blue. Even though some cold blue manufacturers advocate doing so, I have yet to see what I would call a satisfactory job. Regardless of brand, these blues have certain limitations you simply can't get around. When applying cold bluing to a large area, it's very difficult or even impossible to avoid streaks or splotchy light-and-dark spots. Also, no cold bluing I've found imparts the deep, rich, blue/black color of a real bluing job. Especially on large areas, cold blues typically have a somewhat grayish cast with a thin, metallic look regardless of how many coats are applied to the metal."

The Arapaho Kid · September 10, 2005, 10:20:01 PM

I'll pass on the cold blue trick and leave the metal just like it is. Tarnished steel!

The Arapaho Kid · September 11, 2005, 11:38:19 AM

Ok Pards.....the new front sight has been installed on my old Colt. I'm taking it to the range this coming week and launching some rounds through it to see where the POI is. Report to follow.

blue drifter · January 28, 2006, 03:08:45 PM

Quote from: The Arapaho Kid on September 10, 2005, 06:11:30 AM
Y'know.....I think you boys are right on this. I think I'll leave it as is. 'sides....that dinged up wood gives it character!

yo rap, lay the gun on some paper. paint it yellow, orange, and red. then put green flames onit. then weld A coat
hanger on it for A sight. you'll have the best looken gun at the shoot

El Deguello · February 06, 2006, 05:05:04 PM

What the Professor and others said, Kid. Some years back I put tongue oil on the stock of a W70 super grade from 1939. Bad mistake, I'm told that the value went way down. Live and learn. Everytime I take it out of the safe I rub it down with a rough cloth in hopes it will in time wear off. Other than that, sweet gun.