Reblued? How do you know?

M

mikemm

Moderator
hey,

been working the phone all day looking for an older python i can see before buying.

found one about 75 miles away. according to the serial# they gave me it was manu. in '61. the lady then says, "i think they had to have redid it" (her exact words). i asked why she thought that and she said, "it just looks perfect and i know it's pretty old."

she described as black at first and then said, "nope, it's blue really, not black."

so who knows what the hell it is? i have to go look at it.

to the question, how can i tell if a revolver (specifically a python) has been reblued without removing grips and so forth?

thanks,

mike
 
The key thing to look for is the sharpness of edges, lettering, stamped markings etc. Reblues often show signs of polishing prior to the refinish. S&W factory reblues have stamped markings under the grips but I don't know if/what Colt does.

FWIW, Colt pythons were known for their excellent DEEP DARk blueing with a mirrorlike finish. You could be looking at a safe queen or a well carried reblue.

Also FWIW, While it's important to know that a gun has been reblued for value purposes, it's not a reason IMHO not to buy it if the price is right. I have several NICE reblued S&W revolvers that I bought 'right" They are among my favorites.
 
I believe Colt has always applied the verified proof stamp after bluing. It looks like a small, upside-down triangle with "VP" inside. Look for it on the trigger guard. Use a magnifying glass. If the finish is original, the VP mark will appear silver, or even a slighly rusty/tarnished, bare metal, with the edges displaced into a ridge around the edge. If the edges are flush with the surface, and the bluing is in the stamp, it's been refinished. I had an early 20th Century Colt Army Special, and even 80 years later, it appeared brand new. A 45yo Python could still look perfect.
 
Sorry, that's not valid info.
Colt has done bluing AFTER the Verified Proof stamp was applied since at least WWII, if not longer.

In my collection of post-war Colt revolvers, there's not ONE that was stamped after being blued.
 
Also FWIW, While it's important to know that a gun has been reblued for value purposes, it's not a reason IMHO not to buy it if the price is right.
Click to expand...
Just be prepared for that price to be low if you eveer decide to resell it in the future. No matter how good it looks it will always be nothing but a shooter. You would be better off getting a shooter with honest wear.

Every post-war Colt of mine has been blued after it has been stamped. Even with a magnifying glass you can see the bluing in the VP stamp.
 
However, the VP stamp or even the dancin pony is a good way to tell a reblue. Under a magnifying glass, the lines will be sharp and just a hint raised...if not raised or rounded looking, its a reblue.

The easiest reblue to determine is a S&W due to the emblem

Having been looking at em for 30 plus years, I am very confident that a reblue wont get past me, a skill that is mainly aquired by experience.

WildifyaneedhelpletmeknowAlaska
 
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