Is it reblued?

Bill Cullen · 05-18-2004, 12:33 AM

Can anyone offer any tips on how to distinguish an original salt blued gun (circa 1940 or so) from a reblue?

My logic was to first examine crispness/readability of stampings and proofs and then move onto finish. For example, if the blue looks too bright, bordering on shiny, is it a reblue?. Should the color be more towards black than blue? Should the luster be more flat or dull (matte). Are there any "no brainers" too look for such as the sear bar, if its in the white or blued? I saw another thread that talked about whether the muzzle was blued? Would chipped grips near the safety lever have any factoring into the conclusion? (thinking why remove grips except for this reason) Are there any smaller parts that would show rounding of corners, etc, if reblued? Would the presence of "plum" colored smaller parts suggest original finish? What if the larger parts, such as the toggle have a plum tint?

I find this aspect (determining original finish from reblue) to be one of the more challenging for me and looking for some assistance.

Thanks in advance.

05-18-2004, 12:33 AM	#1
Bill Cullen User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Is it reblued? Can anyone offer any tips on how to distinguish an original salt blued gun (circa 1940 or so) from a reblue? My logic was to first examine crispness/readability of stampings and proofs and then move onto finish. For example, if the blue looks too bright, bordering on shiny, is it a reblue?. Should the color be more towards black than blue? Should the luster be more flat or dull (matte). Are there any "no brainers" too look for such as the sear bar, if its in the white or blued? I saw another thread that talked about whether the muzzle was blued? Would chipped grips near the safety lever have any factoring into the conclusion? (thinking why remove grips except for this reason) Are there any smaller parts that would show rounding of corners, etc, if reblued? Would the presence of "plum" colored smaller parts suggest original finish? What if the larger parts, such as the toggle have a plum tint? I find this aspect (determining original finish from reblue) to be one of the more challenging for me and looking for some assistance. Thanks in advance.