....

[gtarifa74]

....

[redcliff]

Leave it alone. It looks great and shows honest wear.

Gun's are graded and valued by collectors based upon % of original finish remaining. A refinished gun has ZERO original finish remaining; its only value is to someone as either a shooter, or to an amateur collector that doesn't know better.

In regard to having Colt refinish it you might want to read this thread: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=624445

[IVth Horseman]

Ok, so here goes my attempt to save you money and a headache!

I sent in two Colt revolvers (Python and Police positive) a bit over a year ago for complete refinishing. They were not abused or beat up, but like you, I wanted to store them in pristine condition for my children. I thought this was a no brainer, as Colt was the birthplace of these revolvers.

So, sent em in and a few months later got them back. I really questioned whether they were even touched by Colt. They looked bad. Splotched bluing, NEW scratches on the cylinder, uneven finishing. Needless to say, I was pissed. So I contacted a Colt employee through Colt forum (Brent) and arranged a return. Two months later I received them again, and was very disappointed. They were better, but nowhere near the bright royal blue I expected. Through research, I learned that this was typical as Colt had sold all of there classic buffing wheels responsible for the royal blue shine, and the older craftsman had all retired or died.

Save yourself the trouble and send them elsewhere. Ive been told that Fords refinishing is great, but I cannot personally vouch for them.

P.S. I believe I posted this story on Calguns "Furious with Colt refinishing".

[bombadillo]

Turnbull. Hands down the best bluing I've seen outside of colts royal blue from the factory.

[jdberger]

^^

Doug Turnbull.

Genius

[hambam105]

Save your money. Oil down the beast and call it good.

[Cyc Wid It]

3 best options: Turnbull, Glenrock (but you have to be very very specific with how you want the job done) or leave as-is.

Unfortunately, sending back to Colt is not on that list. Brent is probably the best contact there for custom work though.

[falar]

Wow, every review I've seen of a refinish done by Colt has been positive, surprised to see they've gone downhill. I have seen 3 or 4 1911s sent in for "Royal Blue" that came back great.

[IVth Horseman]

Wow, every review I've seen of a refinish done by Colt has been positive, surprised to see they've gone downhill. I have seen 3 or 4 1911s sent in for "Royal Blue" that came back great.

These are exactly what encouraged me to send my revolvers to colt. The various pictures of revolvers and 1911s with a royal blue that looked almost dark purple in the light.

I can get mine to look decent if I cover them in a heavy coat of oil.

To the OP, if you're not planning on selling the pistols and just want to enjoy their beauty, why NOT have them refinished?

[Kraviwannabe]

I wouldn't touch it. Anything you do is going to devalue it. Pythons are beautiful and yours is beautiful just the way it is. It doesn't appear to have any signs of abuse, just good honest wear. I'm jealous. When you have a girl who is already beautiful, don't send her in for plastic surgery!

[bsg]

redcliff's call is on the money; leave the finish alone, and maintain the integrity of the Colt as best you can without modification.

[kurac]

As has been mentioned, the word on the street is that Colt can no longer produce the Royal Blue that they are famous for, among other things.

[bsg]

'ColtFever' is an interesting and informative site that includes some background on the oldschool factory Colt bluing. link is provided below:

https://www.coltfever.com/The_Colt_Python.html

[falar]

As has been mentioned, the word on the street is that Colt can no longer produce the Royal Blue that they are famous for, among other things.

How recent of a development is this? I think I've seen a good Royal Blue job as recently as 2011.

[FCinCA]

I would leave it alone. Owning a few Python's myself, I chanced sending one back 3 years ago for a reblue. It came back TERRIBLE. Uneven, splotching and not even Royal blueing. Keep yours and keep looking for a better one for the safe that is original.