Python pitting. Help.

[Garv]

For the future, store in a silicone gun sock after a thorough cleaning.

Place in a safe that uses a goldenrod heater bar and indicating desiccant.

Hope it buffs out without too much expense.

Let us know what you did and show the end product.

Good luck.

[Barbarosa]

Same thing happened to a friend of mine who stored a Registered Magnum in a Haliburton case. Combo of air tight seal and open cell foam that holds water like a sponge destroyed the gun in a year. Sorry to say but I think your gun is relegated to a shooter and that's about all. I don't think it can be salvaged beyond that.

[WHH]

The good news is you can restore it without wondering if you will hurt the value, and then shoot the @!#$ out of it. A blessing in disguise.

[heidad01]

That Python looks like it was never ever wiped with an oiled rag. Rode hard and put up wet.
The foam ain't the best packaging but it is neglect that causes such damage.

On the 1911, looks like a smear of some thing more than rust.

[alland]

Glenrock Blue, one of the best.

https://gunbluing.com/

[dfletcher]

this is terrible news. I was looking to inherit this one day.

do you guys know of any smiths in the LA/SFV area where we could take this to for an assessment and see what it would cost to get it re-done?

Not to speak ill of Fords, they're known to do excellent work. I'd contact Turnbulls and see if they can work on it. I just bought a Colt Shooting Master that according to the previous owner had the cylinder reblued by Turnbull. I have a pretty good eye for such things and would have never known, considering that the rest of the gun is near 100% clean.

If Trurnbull can't exactly duplicate the Python finish my choice would be to do the Colt OMM, New Service finish of the 1940's & 50's. Like getting jacket & pants to "almost match" color as a suit, it's better (IMHO) to be distinctly and obviously different with grey slacks and a blue blazer. Deliberately different but perfectly done is better than "almost right".

You could g a Metaloy route or nickel too.

[-hanko]

Not to speak ill of Fords, they're known to do excellent work. I'd contact Turnbulls and see if they can work on it. I just bought a Colt Shooting Master that according to the previous owner had the cylinder reblued by Turnbull. I have a pretty good eye for such things and would have never known, considering that the rest of the gun is near 100% clean.

If Trurnbull can't exactly duplicate the Python finish my choice would be to do the Colt OMM, New Service finish of the 1940's & 50's. Like getting jacket & pants to "almost match" color as a suit, it's better (IMHO) to be distinctly and obviously different with grey slacks and a blue blazer. Deliberately different but perfectly done is better than "almost right".

You could g a Metaloy route or nickel too.

Doug Turnbull routinely approaches perfection.

Metaloy is engineering hard chrome...http://originalmetaloy.com

[redcliff]

I'm very sorry for the damage on that beautiful Python you have. I hope it can be refinished to its former glory.

When I used to work in a gun shop about 40 years ago we were religious about always wiping down guns with silicone gun cloths and never storing them in closed foam containers. If you put them in a foam lined pistol rug at least leave it partially unzipped so moisture isn't trapped.

It seems that it is a practice that fell out of favor as I never see any gun shops wiping down guns after handling anymore. I still do it and my blued firearms still look like new, including 3 Pythons. I often have to order the silicone cloths online as many shops don't even carry them anymore.

[SoldierLife7]

I looked at all of those craters and I still don't see the lunar lander...

Is this the moon landing thread?


Jokes aside, this is an expensive lesson in gun storage. I hope that as many people as possible see this thread so that they know the hazards of storing in foam.

[fish45]

Yes, it can be repaired but it will be very expensive.

For now keep it out of the case with a light coat of oil. Based on pythons going for 3000 ish the repair will be well within the cost of the gun, based only on the photos and assuming everything else is ok it only looks cosmetic. Based on its current condition you might as well enjoy shooting it if you haven't already.

There are two practical routes you can go.

The first way is to have the gun reblued. The entire gun will have to be reblued in order to avoid a two tone look. There will be alot of material that will need to be removed to completely get rid of the pits (assuming they are not too deep), some of the markings may be removed during the polishing process. I would estimate a job like this to cost around 600 +/- 100 or so.

The second practical repair would be to find another barrel and have it rebarreled. The hardest part will be finding another barrel of the same length with the same python hunter roll mark on the side (assuming you can find one). You're pretty much confined to NOS or used take offs. If you can't find a barrel with the same mark on the side and you want to bring back the great finish pythons are known for put a "regular" python barrel on it. While you are looking for a barrel do some research on a gunsmith/ shop you want to do the work. I would look for someone that specializes in colt revolvers or older revolvers. I would estimate a barrel cost of 400+/- 100 based on condition and a rebarreling cost of 300 +/-50. If you go this route the gun might have to be reblued anyway.

Either route you go (or neither if you keep it as a shooter) I would recommend having it completely disassembled, cleaned and reassembled. Revolvers that have been shot and stored long enough to degrade to this point usually have old oil and powder residue on the inside that essentially turns to varnish and effects performance.

Any refinishing or gunsmithing will effect its value and may decrease its value to below what its worth with the original finish.

[sfe187]

1. If this is a heirloom which will stay in the family FOREVER passing down generation to generations. Go for a complete restoration. Not cheap but hey its heirloom right? Use Turnbull or Ford.

2. If not a heirloom or significant attachment, leave it alone for the majority. You do light work to make it a little better but do not refinish. Once you refinish, all the value is gone from a collector's view. The gun will value more an original shooter vs a refinish in many eyes.

3. In the meantime, CLP + Ren wax and store to gun in a silicone sock or bore store and separately from the original foam and/or box.

Hope this helps.

[denpython]

I would remove accessories and pickle it in kroil for an extended period of time...long time..,submerged.
Periodically carefully wipe off the crud and resubmerge.

Good luck.

[colossians323]

Never store firearms in foam, it causes rust. I would oil these and see what wipes off.

Then you might get aggressive with some very fine bronze wool, but this might leave scratches.


Anything can be repaired, the question becomes how much do you want to spend. It is unlikely that a reblue will have the depth of an origianl colt python.

Good luck.

this OP
Never never never in foam, unless it is soaked in oil

[B.J.F.]

You can get it refinished if your intending on keeping it for sentimental reasons. Danforth Gunsmithing is awesome at bluing jobs.... just extremely pricy.

The shop re-blued a rusted to crap Winchester lever gun for Jeff Russo of Bright Spot Pawn. Thing looked all original when done but could never be sold for face value because the job cost more than a mint one was worth.

[enorbit3]

Thanks everyone for their input. Guess we have to decide what to do with it. Also thank you for letting us know about storing in foam. Never considered it to be a problem before, but all my guns are stored in a safe and not in a case.

Will update this thread once a decision has been made.