Re-Blue or not to re-blue

BoogieMan · July 23, 2013, 07:43 AM

I just picked up a Frommer stop in untouched condition. Nothing special other than being a 100 y/o pistol. About 70% blueing left maybe a little less. Looks like holster wear to me. Gun has a perfect bore and the rest of it (so far) is in very good mechanical condition. IMO its the perfect weapon for a refinish. No historical value and very serviceable. I plan to enjoy it at the range on occasion and thats about it. I dont expect to ever re-sell or enter it in any show. LOL
So what is the general consensus on a re-blue? Who will do a good quality job? Are there any DIY kits that work well? I have a full machine shop at my disposal to remove any scratches and or polish it up a bit.

madmo44mag · July 23, 2013, 08:04 AM

If there is no collector value then re-finish is an option although with 70% of the original blue left I would leave is as is.
I just prefer the look of a well used tool.

As for re-bluing I started Dura-coating over re-bluing.
Simple process.
If done right and it is easy; the results are great.
Just my nickle 98

jonnyc · July 23, 2013, 09:37 AM

Leave it alone; enjoy it as it is.

kilimanjaro · July 23, 2013, 10:14 AM

It's yours, you want to do it, and it's not a rare, historical piece.

In another century, we'll be cursing the folks who didn't refinish and preserve the metal.

Hawg · July 23, 2013, 10:50 AM

Leave it.

BoogieMan · July 23, 2013, 01:06 PM

Im going to sleep on it for a while. I can always re-blue but it will take 100 years to get the current finish back.

These are the pre purchase pics. I would call this 70%. What you guys say. The bore is shiny and crisp. Mechanical looks like it has very few shots down the tube. Much better than I expected.

Cheapshooter · July 23, 2013, 01:22 PM

The pics look like honest wear, and just evidence of it's past use. Respect it's history, and leave it alone!

mySig229 · July 23, 2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madmo44mag

As for re-bluing I started Dura-coating over re-bluing.
Simple process.
If done right and it is easy; the results are great.
Just my nickle 98

Duracoat sucks big ones compared to Cerakote!

Do it right. Cerakote!

csmsss · July 23, 2013, 02:07 PM

I think your pistol looks great as is. I would only refinish it if you were planning to make it an everyday carry piece and were worried about corrosion.

Bill DeShivs · July 23, 2013, 02:32 PM

Gun paints are not a proper finish for historical guns.
I would leave the Frommer alone.

kilimanjaro · July 23, 2013, 07:58 PM

With that much remaining finish, I'd leave it alone unless it keeps you up at night.

James K · July 23, 2013, 08:38 PM

"...it's not a rare, historical piece."

Maybe not, but they certainly are in the collectible category and if not rare are at least uncommon. That finish is good enough that I think most collectors would advise against any type of refinish, which would only decrease the value.

Jim

tater134 · July 23, 2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

"...it's not a rare, historical piece."

Maybe not, but they certainly are in the collectible category and if not rare are at least uncommon. That finish is good enough that I think most collectors would advise against any type of refinish, which would only decrease the value.

Jim

I agree with Jim 100%. I would love to add a Frommer in that condition to my collection. I wouldn't even think about refinishing it.

BoogieMan · July 24, 2013, 06:47 AM

You guys have said pretty much what I was already thinking. I cant wait to have a couple of free hours to do a complete disassembly and cleaning. The bolt has some scratches from debris (looks like sand) and being cycled. I think it will be a great shooter and conversation piece after careful cleanup and lube.

Slamfire · July 24, 2013, 09:33 AM

It looks fine to me just leave it alone.

I have found that refinishing pistols with minor blueing wear, like yours, is an economically losing proposition.

It is very hard to recoup the price of a blueing job, even if done on historic collectable pistols. Gunwriters claim otherwise, but they are shilling for gunsmiths and expecting favors in return.

bedbugbilly · July 25, 2013, 09:06 PM

I'd leave it alone - it has genuine wear for the age of it and it has "character".

Personally, if I saw it on a table and there were two of them - one with the original finish like yours and one that has been "painted" to look pretty . . . I'd walk by the one that was painted every time. Regardless of the value as far as collecting . . . I appreciate vintage and antiques for what they are . . . but that's just my opinion and others may disagree.

**44 AMP** · July 25, 2013, 11:21 PM

Quote:

"...it's not a rare, historical piece."

I think, at one time, something like this was said about every gun that today is a rare, historical piece.

And, a gun that is 100 years old (not the design, the actual gun) does have some history, I think.

I could see a reblue, if the finish was gone...

Its your gun, and your money, you should do what makes you happiest. If you do decide to refinish, have the decency to have it returned as close to factory original as practical.

Don't do what I saw done to a P.38 one time. Gun was WWII capture (no import marks), all matching, mags and holster 43 date, was prime except, it had a very nice nickel finish. The owner had done what he wanted, and it was very pretty. His widow, on the other hand was having trouble selling it, as collectors wouldn't touch it because of the refinish, and shooters wanted something modern...

mySig229 · July 26, 2013, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoogieMan

I dont expect to ever re-sell or enter it in any show

Did nobody catch that ^^^ ?

If you want it to last and it doesn't have value anyway, just have it media blasted and spray that puppy with Cerakote

jsmaye · July 26, 2013, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Duracoat sucks big ones compared to Cerakote!

Quote:

Do it right. Cerakote!

Quote:

...just have it media blasted and spray that puppy with Cerakote

Got any opinions on Cerakote?

mySig229 · July 26, 2013, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmaye

Got any opinions on Cerakote?

I had Duracoat on my FNX-40...it sucked bad. Wore off quick, was kind of rubbery rather than hard. I looked online for reviews on gun coating and that led me to Cerakote.

Look for an authorized guy on the site
http://www.cerakoteguncoatings.com

James K · July 26, 2013, 08:58 PM

If you want to watch a Frommer work, put a wood dowel (pencils leave paint chips) down the barrel from the muzzle and push. The receiver and bolt will go to the rear, then the receiver will unlock and come forward, followed by the bolt, just like a Browning A5 shotgun.

Note that what looks like the slide is part of the frame of the gun; the whole outer shell is machined from one piece of steel (not, as one writer said, stamped).

Jim

sc928porsche · July 31, 2013, 05:16 PM

Remove the blue, polish it, chrome it, make some grips out of black UHMW, and give it to the wife for her purse. lol.

Bill DeShivs · July 31, 2013, 05:23 PM

It seems there ARE stupid answers, though.

sc928porsche · August 9, 2013, 08:58 AM

Yup. always.

July 23, 2013, 07:43 AM	#1
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Re-Blue or not to re-blue I just picked up a Frommer stop in untouched condition. Nothing special other than being a 100 y/o pistol. About 70% blueing left maybe a little less. Looks like holster wear to me. Gun has a perfect bore and the rest of it (so far) is in very good mechanical condition. IMO its the perfect weapon for a refinish. No historical value and very serviceable. I plan to enjoy it at the range on occasion and thats about it. I dont expect to ever re-sell or enter it in any show. LOL So what is the general consensus on a re-blue? Who will do a good quality job? Are there any DIY kits that work well? I have a full machine shop at my disposal to remove any scratches and or polish it up a bit. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

July 23, 2013, 08:04 AM	#2
madmo44mag Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2008 Location: Ft.Worth, Texas Posts: 1,522	If there is no collector value then re-finish is an option although with 70% of the original blue left I would leave is as is. I just prefer the look of a well used tool. As for re-bluing I started Dura-coating over re-bluing. Simple process. If done right and it is easy; the results are great. Just my nickle 98 __________________ Texas - Not just a state but an attitude! For monthly shooting events in DFW visit http://www.meetup.com/TexasGunOwner-DFW

July 23, 2013, 09:37 AM	#3
jonnyc Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2009 Location: PA Posts: 1,731	Leave it alone; enjoy it as it is. __________________ 2024 PA Cartridge Collector Show; Aug. 16-17, 2024!!! Buy...Sell...Trade All Types of Ammunition & Ordnance PM or email me for 2024 show details.

July 23, 2013, 01:06 PM	#6
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Im going to sleep on it for a while. I can always re-blue but it will take 100 years to get the current finish back. These are the pre purchase pics. I would call this 70%. What you guys say. The bore is shiny and crisp. Mechanical looks like it has very few shots down the tube. Much better than I expected. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

July 23, 2013, 01:22 PM	#7
Cheapshooter Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 8,306	The pics look like honest wear, and just evidence of it's past use. Respect it's history, and leave it alone! __________________ Cheapshooter's rules of gun ownership #1: NEVER SELL OR TRADE ANYTHING!

July 23, 2013, 10:14 AM	#4
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	It's yours, you want to do it, and it's not a rare, historical piece. In another century, we'll be cursing the folks who didn't refinish and preserve the metal.

July 23, 2013, 10:50 AM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,189	Leave it.

July 23, 2013, 02:07 PM	#9
csmsss Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 3,078	I think your pistol looks great as is. I would only refinish it if you were planning to make it an everyday carry piece and were worried about corrosion.

July 23, 2013, 02:32 PM	#10
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Gun paints are not a proper finish for historical guns. I would leave the Frommer alone. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

July 23, 2013, 07:58 PM	#11
kilimanjaro Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2009 Posts: 3,963	With that much remaining finish, I'd leave it alone unless it keeps you up at night.

July 23, 2013, 08:38 PM	#12
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	"...it's not a rare, historical piece." Maybe not, but they certainly are in the collectible category and if not rare are at least uncommon. That finish is good enough that I think most collectors would advise against any type of refinish, which would only decrease the value. Jim

July 24, 2013, 06:47 AM	#14
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	You guys have said pretty much what I was already thinking. I cant wait to have a couple of free hours to do a complete disassembly and cleaning. The bolt has some scratches from debris (looks like sand) and being cycled. I think it will be a great shooter and conversation piece after careful cleanup and lube. __________________ Concentrated power is not rendered harmless by the good intentions of those who create it. Milton Freidman "If you find yourself in a fair fight,,, Your tactics suck"- Unknown

July 24, 2013, 09:33 AM	#15
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	It looks fine to me just leave it alone. I have found that refinishing pistols with minor blueing wear, like yours, is an economically losing proposition. It is very hard to recoup the price of a blueing job, even if done on historic collectable pistols. Gunwriters claim otherwise, but they are shilling for gunsmiths and expecting favors in return. __________________ If I'm not shooting, I'm reloading.

July 25, 2013, 09:06 PM	#16
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	I'd leave it alone - it has genuine wear for the age of it and it has "character". Personally, if I saw it on a table and there were two of them - one with the original finish like yours and one that has been "painted" to look pretty . . . I'd walk by the one that was painted every time. Regardless of the value as far as collecting . . . I appreciate vintage and antiques for what they are . . . but that's just my opinion and others may disagree. __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

July 26, 2013, 08:58 PM	#21
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	If you want to watch a Frommer work, put a wood dowel (pencils leave paint chips) down the barrel from the muzzle and push. The receiver and bolt will go to the rear, then the receiver will unlock and come forward, followed by the bolt, just like a Browning A5 shotgun. Note that what looks like the slide is part of the frame of the gun; the whole outer shell is machined from one piece of steel (not, as one writer said, stamped). Jim

July 31, 2013, 05:16 PM	#22
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Remove the blue, polish it, chrome it, make some grips out of black UHMW, and give it to the wife for her purse. lol. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.

July 31, 2013, 05:23 PM	#23
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	It seems there ARE stupid answers, though. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 9, 2013, 08:58 AM	#24
sc928porsche Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2008 Location: now living in alabama Posts: 2,433	Yup. always. __________________ No such thing as a stupid question. What is stupid is not asking it.