Restoration Question?

[jauwen]

I have an Colt 1911 that was my great-grandfather's. The serial number is 108291. I think that it was produced in 1915. The finish is a little rough and I was wondering if anyone knew of anybody in the OKC, OK area that I could take it to for restoration.

[Scott Gahimer]

Your pistol is 92 years old. If you make it look like it was made yesterday, it won't look right IMO. If the finish is original, I'd leave it alone and cherish it just the way it is.
Can you share some photos of it? That would give us a better idea of what you mean by "a little rough" and also let us know what you've got to work with should you decide to refinish.

[AKsRule]

A "refinish" would onlydecrease it's value.

A "restoration" is when an EXPERT returns a gun to it's ORIGINAL CONDITION
(or as close as possible ) without making changes in the basic form ,
mechanics , or finish as compared to an original in very good shape.

[ClarkEMyers]

For a true restoration there are 2 nationally known names Bill Adair and Doug Turnbull. There certainly are others who can do the work. AFAIK Adair is in Texas and Turnbull in New York.

Bill Adair at: http://www.restoration-gunsmith.com/ has good discussion of Should I restore it on his website. He also notes that he is not currently accepting new work but will again accept limited new work next year in 2008.

What needs to be remembered is that there is a world of difference between "refinishing" and "restoration". the term "refinishing" could mean hot-bluing a single-action (where hot-blue wasn't invented till about 1937). But "restoration" means doing things right. It means doing it precisely like it was done 80 or 150 years ago by the factory. It means polishing in the exact way the factory did it, and finishing the exact way the factory did it.

There are only a handful of restoration-gunsmiths in the world who can do that... or who will do that. To that handful you can entrust your antique arms.

Doug Turnbull at: http://www.turnbullrestoration.com/ also has a good deal of useful information on his web site. For refinishing only as the major thrust I would probably go with Turnbull first myself for a quicker turnaround. For dealing with a seriously abused firearm there is a lot to be said for Mr. Adair.

[Hawkmoon]

Although I find that suggested prices in the Blue Book seem to vary wildly from what real guns are actually selling for, it might be interesting to note that the Blue Book says a restored firearm STARTS at 50 percent or the value of an unrestored piece in excellent condition.

In other words, if you want to restore (or just "refinish") your grandfather's pistol so that you'll feel better looking at it ... it's your pistol. But don't do it because you think you'll be adding value to it ... you won't.

[Mick_In_Texas]

I bought her at auction, she was not an inheritance, because I LOVE the platform and got an excellent original for a very reasonable price. She is Black Army, and her finish is acceptable. Her Ser No is 487xxx.

Last summer, I spoke to Mr. Adair about a refinishing restoration. Although he is "in the business", and makes his living from this, he cautioned me about "refinishing" a fine-finished USGI with NO rust or pitting. Honest man.

I have since decided to leave First Lady as she was made. She gets a cleaning and oiling every 6 months, MAX, and although I have shot her, she won't be shot much, IF EVER. My preference, and that is MY preference, personal, now, is to leave as she rolled off the Colt's PT FA MFG Co assembly line in 1918. Again, MY preference.

I am deeply honored to have her. After two gunsmith exams prior to firing, and a gunsmith detail strip cleaning after, she is fine:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/cc9c0c7f.jpg
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d54/Mick_In_Texas/74a139a2.jpg

As Mr. Adair told me, I see no reason to refinish her. She is worn, but beautiful to me as she was made. I hope this helps in some way, sir.

Y'all take care.
Mick