Marred bluing Smith & Wesson

[rrengineer]

I am buying a new in the box (box included) 1955 12-2 Smith and Wesson Airweight revolver. The gun is almost perfect except for a marred spot in the bluing on the cylinder because the gun sat in the box for many years without moving. Can bluing be polished?
Mike

[shafferds]

I would leave it. If not done perfect to match it will show even worse.

[plumbum]

Agreed on leaving as is - it took 60 years to get that mark!

Refinishing will only make a minty vintage revolver into an old gun.

[Milsurp Collector]

I am buying a new in the box (box included) 1955 12-2 Smith and Wesson Airweight revolver. The gun is almost perfect except for a marred spot in the bluing on the cylinder because the gun sat in the box for many years without moving. Can bluing be polished?
Mike

Pictures of the problem would be helpful. I would not refinish the cylinder but you might be able to do a spot touch-up of the problem area.

[JackRussel]

There has been a few threads on the S&W forum about someone misrepresenting boxes as originals, if you're paying extra for an original box you should do your own due diligence and spend some time researching it. Lots of info and some knowledgable folks over there.

[bsg]

i suggest that you simply maintain the integrity of the revolver as is. do not attempt touchups or other remedies for an imperfect finish that will create new problems and lower the value of your revolver.

Renaissance Wax is the only agent i would consider applying to enhance the beauty of a blued finish; personal preference and YMMV.

[003]

To answer your question. No, bluing cannot be polished. The only thing you will accomplish if you polish the area is to remove more bluing.

[Gunhacker]

It's difficult to get touch up (cold) bluing to match the factory hot bluing, and it is especially so with the bluing on the older S&W's if it's the dry Carbona bluing. Leave it as is or you'll end up making it look worse.

And speaking of older S&W's... if the gun is a model marked (12-2) S&W, it is newer than 1955. The 12-2 came out in 1962, if the seller is trying to represent it as a 1955 gun, they are full of it... model marked S&W revolvers started in 1958.

[bsg]

^^^ good catch Gunhacker. the 12-2 was manufactured from 1962 until 1977 when the 12-3 began it's run.

[hambam105]

Everybody knows that a single imperfection on the finish of a 40 something year old Smith revolver makes the gun totally worthless. Throw it back.

[norcal77]

Nope, without knowing the extent of the wear, you can some try renaissance wax or something equivalent on the entire pistol to make it so shiny you won't notice but agree w everyone else, if you're set on touching it up I'd hit up Fords custom guns and see what they say, their bluing jobs look fantastic from what I've seen

[Mr. Beretta]

What ever you do, don't tell Ray.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1048401

He's been looking for one for years!

Congrats!

[bsg]

What ever you do, don't tell Ray.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1048401

He's been looking for one for years!

Congrats!

that is some patience and tenacity at work and i hope he gets his Model 12.