preeb said:
I'm looking to reblue some old 50's Ruger revolvers and was wondering if anybody can recommend a good shop that can do it (preferably in the Phoenix area but not a must).
Need a 100% historically accurate process to achieve perfect restoration.
Ruger can reblue just fine but they use newer methods and the results are not exact in terms of color hue (less blue) and Aluminum grip frames not being anodized but rather blacken in a different way... not to mention the safety conversion.
In other words.. I'm looking for a gunsmith or plater that understands old school prep/bluing methods and old FT Rugers (-;
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Frankly when I compare my old models of which I have many with very high original finishes, the only real difference I can see between OMs and current models depends on the level of polish. My high polish OM Super BH is darker and blacker than regular OM examples, and virtually identical to new models which on average have better polishing than the average OM polishing. OMs are not known for their fine polishing, in fact in some cases coarse machining surface marks are obvious, i.e., the front surface of the frame where the barrel meets up.
A Ruger re-blue will be done correctly w/o over buffing, etc., and you'll get it back in 10 days. You can't beat their service and refinish, or even come close to it anywhere, especially for the price!
Ruger's polishing is done on the same type machinery as always, so all the surfaces have the same polishing techniques, direction, and contours as factory guns; the secret of a restoration vs. a refinish! If there's a flaw with factory finishing, it's that the polish is better than originals.
I don't think you'll find a gunsmith specializing in Ruger with the same machines and polishing techniques better than Ruger. This is only available by Colt SAA restorers for Colts, high priced shotguns, antique firearms, etc.
You'll just have to interview several re-finishers to determine if that skill and knowledge exists out there. I don't know that Ruger has changed its bluing process since the '50s. So the color of bluing probably has more to do with the prep and polish than bluing method.
Recognize, there are other details you can use to 'test' the knowledge of prospective candidates to do your refinishing:
Ruger's with original finishes will have the recoil plate in the recoil shield around the firing pin tip "in the white" because it isn't installed until after bluing.
Another nuance is that steel grip frames are polished and blued attached to the frames. Therefore, they will not be completely blued on the mating surfaces.
