Python pitting. Help.

[enorbit3]

hey all. so my stepdad has this Python Hunter. When we pulled it out of the halliburton case, we noticed this pitting and potential rust...

not sure what happened here. but can this be repaired?

Also not sure if his beretta 84 is exhibiting some of the same signs.

[enorbit3]

whoa. sorry for the giant pics. Im not too sure how to resize them.

[tsmithson]

[Citadelgrad87]

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.

[enorbit3]

ok so we should take that gold cup out ASAP then, right? I mean not store it in that case with the foam.

would you guys suggest wrapping them in an oiled up rag?

[XDJYo]

I bow my head in silence...

[mikeyr]

yup, the foam killed it.
The pitting looks pretty bad, so this snake is now a shooter. It can be re-finished but I doubt its financially feasable. Refinishing would either require a lot of buffing and eliminate many features of the gun or even more expensive, filling the pits and then reblue.

Its now a real hunter, take it in the field and don't worry about its cosmetics anymore.

[jdben92883]

Sorry man. That super sucks. That's not "maybe it's pitting". That is "my dad's Python is pitted all to hell". There is nothing you can do to eliminate that outside of refinishing. Oiling it will help control it, but that gun is no longer a collectible. It's no-go in its current condition and it's no-go (as a collectible) if it's refinished. Sorry you have had to learn this expensive and painful lesson of not storing firearms in foam cases.

[enorbit3]

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?

[808@515]

Contact these people

https://www.fordsguns.com/

[GM4spd]

[SkyHawk]

Stores gun in a giant sponge - wonders what happened

[808@515]

Another option

https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/gun/restored-colt-1908-vest-pocket/

Restoration on that will not be cheap but if the piece really means something to you people like Turnbull or Fords may be worth the investment.

[fawndog]

Well you'll inherit a nice Python.

George was recommended for a hot blue finish on another forum.
He was a pleasure to work with, and cheaper than Turnbull or Fords.

https://gunblue.homestead.com/Index.html

Call him and see what he thinks.

[Calif Hunter]

I have heard of many possible solutions - peppermint oil or wipe liberally with Kroil and wipe with the finest steel wool are two. Leave a liberal coat of Kroil on overnight, wipe off then try the steel wool very gently.