I've never had a handgun re-blued. This revolver has an almost worn-off parkerized finish. I would like a "polished" blued finish. What can a person expect to pay for this kind of work. Thanks in advance for your input.

depends on the quality of work that you want. som e smiths will sand blast it or bead blast it and blue your gun for you, and that doesn't take much time. If you want a first rate hand polish you will be paying for many hours of hand detail work, plus the cost of disassembly, reassembly, and function testing.

Joe

Google; Gun bluing service. Cost between
$100 and $300

Here's some pricing:

http://www.hotflashrefinishing.com/handguns.htm

This outfit does very nice work.

It's your gun, but I would urge you to have it looked at by a collector of Colt revolvers (or U.S. martial arms if it is a Model 1917), before you make a decision to have it refinished. There are many details that could make it more valuable as is and you could then sell it and buy something new.

I have one each Colt and S&W M1917 in my collection and they are near the top of my favorites list. Refinishing a collectable detracts dramatically from its value.

Whatever you pay is lost twice. First in paying for the job and second in reduction in the value of the gun.
If a worn 1917 is worth $800 a reblued one is worth about $300.
Turnbull is an exception.

Everybody's input is appreciated. I'll have an expert review/appraise it. The metal looks quite good. The parkerized finish looks like garbage. I fully understand the drop in value by re-blueing, but this darn thing is uglier than an AMC Gremlin painted purple. There's no question, this revolver was a "mans revolver". It ain't for sissies.

quote:

Originally posted by Jack Belk:
Whatever you pay is lost twice. First in paying for the job and second in reduction in the value of the gun.
If a worn 1917 is worth $800 a reblued one is worth about $300.
Turnbull is an exception.

Turnbull or not, it's still a reblue.

My point is that a 'Restoration' is not priced in the marketplace like a 'Reblue'. You can see that anytime, anywhere.

I have to agree with craigster on this one. Turnbull does fantastic work, but I consider him as making a ordinary gun an heirloom, to be kept. As good as the work is, I don't think you will ever recoup the cost of the gun plus the restoration if it is sold. Very much like custom rifles, very few sell for more, or even the same, as they cost to make.

I also heard that re-blued firearms can fire without anyone pulling the trigger!