What kind of finish is on this colt

[callowayk1]

Can anyone tell me by looking at these pics if this is the original finish on this Colt?
If so what do they call this finish?
Thanks
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee250/callowayk1/finish3.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee250/callowayk1/finish2.jpg
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee250/callowayk1/finish.jpg

[HoBoBum]

it is called blue, and is from blueing

[callowayk1]

Thank you for the comedic reply ya Bum

I am going to send in a Colt to the custom shop for a refinish and I have been looking for representations of what I can expect.
The finish on the weapon pictured above looks very nice.
Does anyone know if this is Colt's Royal Blue finish?

[ColtCustom45]

Thank you for the comedic reply ya Bum

He wasn't being funny. That is what it is...blue finish.

[Panama1911]

I understood what you meant, and Colt does seem to ofer a variety of bluing options. I think the royal blue is more polised than that, but I'm not too up on Colt's available finishes. One of our resident Colt experts should step in with an answer for you shortly.

[Blackhawk]

That is Colt's Royal Blue Finish.

[cajunfj40]

Standard bluing. if you request the refinish they will polish the flats on the slide and frame. The pistols are usually finished like that although looking at the pics yours looks flawless.

Royal blue is an even higher polish applied to the entire pistol as well as the rounded areas.

The one in the picture has the flats polished but the rounds are beadblasted.

[paul45]

That is Colt's Royal Blue Finish.Based on the pics, I disagree. That is Colts standard blueing......and it is a very nice example. Also, it says on the outer sleeve in the pic...."blue".

[callowayk1]

I did not see the "Blue" on the box sleeve thank you for pointing that out.
Paul45 is it your contention that the finish is the original finish on the weapon.

I only ask because the level of knowledge here never ceases to amaze me. I have hopes that one of the resident experts can give me good reasoning behind their opinion that this is a Standard Blue or Royal Blue finish.

Would the box sleeve say Royal Blue if the was the finish on the gun or just state Blue?

The weapon is not mine. I would like the pending refinish on my Compact1991A1 to end up like the one in the pics.

I know it is hard to judge the finish from the pics but as I stated earlier some of you "more seasoned" Colt owners have a very sharp eye for detail and are a wealth Colt knowledge.

I appreciate all the replies and help making an informed decision on which finish to ask for when I call Colt.

[Hawkmoon]

There was a thread a couple of months ago regarding a Colt WW1 replica that the owner had refinished by Colt in the Royal blue. Every surface was mirror polished. The pistol in your pics has bead blasted flats and it does appear to be Colt's standard blue finish (standard for the Mark IV series -- the current 1991 pistols are also blued, but the flats are not as completely polished).

[HoBoBum]

Bro. CallowayKI
sorry if I sounded short, it's a bad habit I picked up on internet forgetting it sounds different when you read it than if we were talking; my fault...
if you want one "Re-finished" that looks like that originally, just order a "like-new refinish", but if you want it Royal Blue and it's NOT like that when you send it in, you will have to request the Special Royal Blue and they will gladly do it in the custom shop, and charge a little extra for the elbow grease and laborer's time, but it's very nice when they do.
the little extra may be $100 ABOVE the normal blue job
good luck

[callowayk1]

Here is a better pick of the box sleeve.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee250/callowayk1/finish4.jpg

[callowayk1]

HoBoBum
I did miss understand your post as joking, and it is OK in my book if you were.
No offense taken at all my friend.
Life must be very hard for those that would take offense so easily.

Back to the question at hand $100 more to achieve a finish such as that would not bother in the slightest.

[paul45]

Would the box sleeve say Royal Blue if the was the finish on the gun or just state Blue?
Yes.....check the pics in this link.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89393733

I would like the pending refinish on my Compact1991A1 to end up like the one in the pics.
Include in your instructional letter exactly what you want.....highly polished flats with matte rounds.

[AJD]

I wouldn't call that Royal Blue. That finish is about what you would find on a orginal Seres 70 pistol. Which is a high gloss but not mirror polish. The term Royal Blue gets thrown around alot concerning Colt's. I guess part of the problem is that the Colt Python's Royal Blue finish was not equal among all Pythons. Some Python's have the mirror polish finish while others didn't quite have the same luster. But considering it was produced for 50 years you were bound to have some variation. Another problem is that many gun stores advertise their normal blue Colt's as "Royal Blue" because that term has value to buyers. Much like the blue Custom Shop boxes do.

This is the WWI repo that was refinished by Colt in Royal Blue, its not mine.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=310850&highlight=Royal+Blue

As you can see its mirror polished. Noticed the clear reflection of the camera and person in several photos.

[elijdub]

Based on the pics, I disagree. That is Colts standard blueing......and it is a very nice example. Also, it says on the outer sleeve in the pic...."blue".
Absolutely. That is a NIB Colt Enhanced OfficerACP, in "blue" (with polished flats and matte rounds) :).

There was a thread a couple of months ago regarding a Colt WW1 replica that the owner had refinished by Colt in the Royal blue. Every surface was mirror polished. The pistol in your pics has bead blasted flats and it does appear to be Colt's standard blue finish (standard for the Mark IV series -- the current 1991 pistols are also blued, but the flats are not as completely polished).
Here is a link to the thread of the gun in question. It was the 01911 that fellow forum member colubrid was selling. He had it refinished, by the Colt Custom Shop, in Royal Blue, which is MUCH more "glossy":
http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=38225&highlight=royal+blue

[rondawg]

Will Colt do that kind of finish work on other makes of pistols? Like my RIA, for example? I love that deep, polished blue look.

[callowayk1]

Elijdub-Thanks for posting those pics of the 01911-refinish.

After veiwing the pics I think I like the idea of the Royal Blue finish with highly polished flats and matte rounds.

The high polish finish on the whole gun looks awsome but my compact is still in my carry rotation and goes to the range often so I think the matte rounds is the better option.

[elijdub]

No problem callowayk1 :).

I think yours is a good decision; while the Royal does look very nice, i'd be reluctant to finish a "working gun" that way.

Please keep us posted of your finish work!

[elijdub]

Will Colt do that kind of finish work on other makes of pistols? Like my RIA, for example? I love that deep, polished blue look.
Good question! I dont know if they'll do other "makes" or not. I'd call Colt: 1800-962-COLT. If you find out, please post back and let us know.

[airbornerangerboogie]

No problem callowayk1 :).

I think yours is a good decision; while the Royal does look very nice, i'd be reluctant to finish a "working gun" that way.

Please keep us posted of your finish work!

Love the Blue'd look, but how durable is it? I'd like that done on my Colt Defender, but it's a working gun.

[elijdub]

Love the Blue'd look, but how durable is it? I'd like that done on my Colt Defender, but it's a working gun.
Phil, are you refering to the standard blue (polished flats, matte rounds), or the Royal blue?
I admittedly don't know much about the difference in process involved in doing the Royal vs. the standard, but i think that both are equally "durable". I'd guess that with the Royal, scratches, etc., will appear more easily on the finish. Also, i'd imagine there's a cost difference (though again i'm only speculating), and with a gun that's SURE to get some wear...a carry gun...i personally couldn't justify the decision to have it done (the Royal).
It sure does look cool though!

[Joni Lynn]

Any time I question a finish as to being royal blue or other, it's pretty easy. Most times royal blue will have a look which may be best described as appearing to be 'wet'.

[callowayk1]

The story behind the Colt Compact to be refinished is this:

It was the best of times it was the worst of times.........Oh no that's another story

I have owned the gun for about 9 years, it was the first 1911 I ever owned. From the day I shot for the first time it is the gun (pistol) that I am most accurate with. It has never given me any trouble, 100% reliable and it is still completely stock. Because of it's reliability, accuracy, compact size, and the fact that I only had a glock 21 and a S&W 19 6inch back then, it lived in my truck or on my person for the first four or five years that I owned it. Needless to say as times got better I purchased more handguns and now carry a Kel Tec or XSE Commander 95% of the time. In a fit of momentary stupidity, I sold the gun to a friend of mine who also had a love for that particular gun and had been hounding me to sell it to him. I knew it was a mistake immediately. I bided my time and when the opportunity arose for me to reaquire the gun six months later and I did. I swore allegiance to my little Compact and will never let it go again.
Upon having it refinished it will reside in the house mostly, CCW a little (never say never) and will only ride in the truck when I take it out for a walk at the range.

[airbornerangerboogie]

Phil, are you refering to the standard blue (polished flats, matte rounds), or the Royal blue?
I admittedly don't know much about the difference in process involved in doing the Royal vs. the standard, but i think that both are equally "durable". I'd guess that with the Royal, scratches, etc., will appear more easily on the finish. Also, i'd imagine there's a cost difference (though again i'm only speculating), and with a gun that's SURE to get some wear...a carry gun...i personally couldn't justify the decision to have it done (the Royal).
It sure does look cool though!

To tell you the truth, I can't really see the difference, but I'd probably just go with the blue. I'd like to see if anyone posting has done though. I carry in a leather OWB and maybe if I tried to find a softer leather...? Maybe your right though, it might not be cost justified for a carry, but is sure does look purty. :)

[IZinterrogator]

Paul, why did you post that link to the 6" Python? Now I must use something I rarely feel the need to use: self control. :p

[elijdub]

To tell you the truth, I can't really see the difference, but I'd probably just go with the blue. I'd like to see if anyone posting has done though. I carry in a leather OWB and maybe if I tried to find a softer leather...? Maybe your right though, it might not be cost justified for a carry, but is sure does look purty. :)

Phil, take a look at my Commander. See how the "flats" (the actual flat faces on the slide, across the COLT MK IV for example...and frame, under the grip panels for example) are more polished? And the "rounds" (the spring tunnel, the dust cover, the trigger guard, the front strap) are not a polished blue, but more of a matte finish....?
This is the standard "blue" finish applied to Colt's. The Royal is much more glossy looking, AND 100% of the gun is done in this way (as opposed to differentiating between flats and rounds).
As far as leather, "cow hide" is softer than "horsehide" for sure. Some custom leather makers will either add smooth leather inside the holster as well, or another material to ease "draw" and minimize "wear". Even so, a finish is GOING to wear no matter what... The holster customization will only slow the process unfortunately, and not relieve it entirely (Milt Sparks posts this info on their site in the FAQ section).
Hope this helps!
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u311/elijdub/001-6.jpg

[ColtCustom45]

Two examples of Royal Blue:

1- Special Combat

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze25tkh/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/newspecgovt.jpg

2- Python

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze25tkh/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Python.jpg

[rondawg]

I keep thinking back about my old S&W Model 19's, and the blue they had, I loved that color. I guess it really isn't the best choice for a carry gun that gets banged up once in awhile. Prolly end up black Duracoating it someday.

[elijdub]

Two examples of Royal Blue:

1- Special Combat

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze25tkh/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/newspecgovt.jpg

2- Python

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze25tkh/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/Python.jpg
Wow! Those are sharp!!!