Colt 1903 on Gunbroker

by Hobie_, Tuesday, September 02, 2014, 10:02 (3724 days ago)

Want a good example to restore? http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=438272228 This one only needs refinishing...

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Colt 1903 on Gunbroker

by Jared, Tuesday, September 02, 2014, 21:02 (3724 days ago) @ Hobie_

I'll have to watch that one. One of those has been on my radar for years, just never bought one.

Colt 1903 on Gunbroker

by Catoosa, Tuesday, September 02, 2014, 21:39 (3724 days ago) @ Hobie_

I call BS on that one. NO finish left, and the metal is pitted all over. Looks to me like it has been stripped and cold blued, and that is what has faded. Never seen Colt factory finish degrade like that without some help.

$250 tops.

What exactly do you mean by "BS"?

by Hobie ⌂ @, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Wednesday, September 03, 2014, 18:37 (3723 days ago) @ Catoosa
edited by Hobie, Wednesday, September 03, 2014, 18:43

It has NOT been cold-blued, but the finish has been mostly removed one way or another. The grips are good, the magazine is good. As I remember it the bore was very good.

PS - I just read the "bluing has faded" comment. That is NOT right but the guy who wrote it up isn't the most knowledgeable guy. I'll get that addressed if I can.

I have seen and handled this pistol. Almost bought it myself. Might yet, I bid what they have in it, $300.

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Sincerely,

Hobie

The photo seems to be off color to me, on my

by Hobie ⌂ @, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Wednesday, September 03, 2014, 18:44 (3723 days ago) @ Hobie_

laptop.

--
Sincerely,

Hobie

What exactly do you mean by "BS"?

by Catoosa, Wednesday, September 03, 2014, 22:44 (3723 days ago) @ Hobie

Certainly not to mean any ruminant-processed vegetative matter coming from you Hobie!

Just that I can't see that finish as normally faded by time and handling. Casehardening will certainly fade over time, but Colt factory bluing from the period of that gun's manufacture should last a long time unless it has been exposed to something that CAUSES it to degrade. The pitting under the ejection port and elsewhere looks like rusted metal has been removed to leave the pits.

That said, you have seen the gun and I have only seen the photos, so you certainly have a better idea of it's condition. At the least, it would be a good candidate for restoration. If I lucked into one like that for a good price, I'd parkerize it, replace the springs, stick it in an IWB holster and smile a lot.

Did NOT take it as a negative on me but as

by Hobie ⌂ @, Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Thursday, September 04, 2014, 12:50 (3722 days ago) @ Catoosa

something as to your point that I didn't understand. I wanted to understand so that I could answer any questions or correct any misconceptions if possible/applicable.

As noted elsewhere the bluing has been substantially removed but it has not been cold-blued. I think the color/tint/hue of the photo gives that impression but it isn't so. This pistol could easily be given a correct finish and would be a fine shooter. I was thinking of having it Parkerized like a military gun... #duckingandrunning

--
Sincerely,

Hobie

I think that would be a neat little critter

by Catoosa, Thursday, September 04, 2014, 21:39 (3722 days ago) @ Hobie

done up like that. Parkerizing can cover minor surface flaws and holds antirust coatings really well. One of the best carry guns ever made, it would seem to me.

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