Handguns, Rifles & Shotguns > Handguns

Colt Commander

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OnTheFly:
If you had a 30+ year old Colt Commander that showed a fair amount of holster wear, and you were going to have Colt refinish it, would you go with the original color (in this case blued)?  Would it hurt the value to go with something different (nickel, ss, chromed, etc.) than the original finish?

Fly

NE Bull:
Personally, I would leave it.  Patina is history. Each wear spot, scratch, scuff, etc holds a story for that firearm. I LOVE my old guns, and though tempted to refinish a few, I have resisted. I, for one would hate to erase history.  Why try to make a 30 year old gun look like a 1 year old gun?  As it is now, it's one of a kind. You shine it up and it will look like every other new safe queen Colt Commander.
Just my $.02. 

bullit:
I'd consider Jason Burton of Heirloom Precision.  He's rebuilt a 1949 LWC for Clint Smith in the past year.  Absolutely beautiful craftmenship and Clint still shoots the thing. 

Also, see link below for Frank Ettin's story of 2 Commanders done by Jason. 

http://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=4

OnTheFly:

--- Quote from: NE Bull on May 24, 2012, 10:20:18 PM ---Personally, I would leave it.  Patina is history. Each wear spot, scratch, scuff, etc holds a story for that firearm. I LOVE my old guns, and though tempted to refinish a few, I have resisted. I, for one would hate to erase history.  Why try to make a 30 year old gun look like a 1 year old gun?  As it is now, it's one of a kind. You shine it up and it will look like every other new safe queen Colt Commander.
Just my $.02. 

--- End quote ---

Disclaimer: This may be a mute point because I don't have the firearm in hand, but it may become mine this weekend.  The gun belonged to my father-in-law who carried it as a LEO for a Nebraska town/city until the department went with a standard issued firearm.  The gun is currently in my brother-in-law's possession, but he called the other night and said he wanted me to have it.  He said that he is not that into handguns but wants to keep it n the family to be passed down.

The Reason for the Question: It is not so much that I want it refinished, but my brother-in-law was saying he thought it should be refinished.  If he is giving me such a beautiful gun and making a suggestion, I figured it might be worth while to follow his direction so that he keeps the warm and fuzzy feeling about his decision to give it to me.  I figure this is a small price to pay for what I am getting.

My brother-in-law probably won't care too much.  He just said that he thought that is what I should do.  I'm amazed he is even considering giving it to me in light of it's history with his father, but I am honored he would find me worthy of it since I'm not even blood.  Though my son is his blood and my brother-in-law knows that I would pass it on to him.  I have already talked to my son about how I will come back from the dead if he ever sells any of our family heirlooms.  ;D

Fly

bullit:
With that kind of history, I wouldn't touch it....   Some suggestions...it might be nice to write some documentation on it as well (I will assume your father in law is passed) for your son and future generations.  Furthermore, I'd pay Colt a "Benjamin" to find out where it was shipped as well and have that letter with it as well.  Nostalgia at its best.....

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