I bought this finishless 1913 Colt 1911 last month (and already posted about it). Despite being in the white, the metal was in very good condition, the markings still deep and crisp, no soft edges were apparent and the grips were in good condition for 100 years old wood.
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608129
I had decided to have it professionally re-blued. Not an easy decision for such an old gun, but I felt that the originality and serious collectibility was gone once some previous owner had totally removed the finish; I guess there was some corrosion, although there is no apparent deep pitting, and someone decided to refinish it rather than just treat the areas affected, but did not finish the job (pun intended).
(Minimal) prepping was $ 90 and blueing was $ 220
Anyway it came back for the shop and here it is
Before
After
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608129
I had decided to have it professionally re-blued. Not an easy decision for such an old gun, but I felt that the originality and serious collectibility was gone once some previous owner had totally removed the finish; I guess there was some corrosion, although there is no apparent deep pitting, and someone decided to refinish it rather than just treat the areas affected, but did not finish the job (pun intended).
(Minimal) prepping was $ 90 and blueing was $ 220
Anyway it came back for the shop and here it is
Before
After