Log In
January 11, 2020
Offline
On a pistol what are the give aways it has be refinished? Every thing is crisp that I can tell. I magnified every thing.
May 2, 2009
Offline
You have to know what the original finish, metal work and stampings looked like to tell on pistols since its easier to refinish small items. It take years of looking at real guns to learn what is real and what is not. If its real minty and there is no age to the finish is another sign.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 1, 2013
Offline
Bayoujim said
On a pistol what are the give aways it has be refinished? Every thing is crisp that I can tell. I magnified every thing.
You didn’t say what kind of pistol. Not uncommon to find 100-yr old pocket pistols in mint cond because they spent most of their “lives” in a dresser drawer. But even larger handguns often escaped most of the handling & abuse to which long guns are usually subjected–I’ve had several that survived in “like-new” cond.
So it’s quite possible the gun is all original, though as Bob said, you need experience in knowing exactly what to look for.
January 11, 2020
Offline
1911 1918 did they have Matt finish on top looks like it in pictures I have seen.
November 1, 2013
Offline
Not to my knowledge.
March 31, 2009
Offline
The 1918 Colt 1911’s were blued. It just may be a bad picture. I have one and my bad picture makes it look grey. But is is blued. Even the Military issued guns.
November 1, 2013
Offline
Chuck said
It just may be a bad picture.
WWI 1911’s do turn up in near-mint cond.–I had one before someone made an offer I couldn’t refuse. But looking at photos, even very good ones, is not the best way to gain the kind of experience needed to distinguish original finish from a high quality refinish. It’s the folks chasing high-finish guns who most often get burned, which is why I’m not too sorry they’re way beyond my means.
