Posted: 10/21/2008 1:01:17 PM EDT
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In my family we have a Python that was given to my grandfather by the local police Dept. when he retired from being mayor. It was engraved on the barrel to him and the date is 1962. I believe the engraving was done by the factory, the bluing is seems consistent. It isn't real fancy, just block letters. Anyway, it has some holster wear around the barrel and some on the cylinder. I was considering getting it re blued by the factory. Would this hurt the value? Does it even matter with the engraving? How much does that affect value? I use to shoot it a lot in the 80's. A lot of light reloads, but it hasn't had more than a 100 rounds since 1990. I guess I'm just curious, we had it out this summer and it has been on my mind lately. |
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IMO, what the engraving is should determine whether or not you get it refinished. If it says "To dear old Whatisname, thanks for your service", then the value won't be hurt by Colt refinishing it. OTOH, if the engraving is scroll work & whatnot, then there may be some $$$ loss with refinishing. I do note you mention "block letters", but I wanted to add that about the scroll work as well. Since was grand-dad's, I'm assuming you're not gonna be selling it, so why worry about the value?  Colt's Royal Blue finish will REALLY make that puppy look good, IMO. My .o2 |
No scroll work at all. It's not that I will ever sell it, but, I still don't want to turn a $1000 gun into a $400 gun by spending several hundred on it. That would be dumb. |
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The value of the gun will be lower even if it is refinished by Colt. Some minor holster wear at the end of the barrel and a ring around the cylinder is signs of honest use. I've seen Single Action Army's loose almost a third of their value by being refinished. I would just leave it alone. |
Didn't most blue Pythons already come standard with the Royal Blue finish? Hardcore collectors consider refinishing a sacrilege, even if it is done by the factory. In addition, I can't imagine that there are many Colt employees left who can properly polish a Python. It is not like they are getting any practice with current production. |
It is a premium revolver that 50 years old and is no longer made. The value of the gun as is will only go up. The quickest way to destroy any collector interest is to refinish it. |