Refinish or leave alone? Pre war woodsman

[T-Dozzer]

So lately I've been kicking around the idea of getting a gun reblued.
My grandpa gave me this gun before passing away and it's pretty important to me.  It was given to him by my great grandpa. It's a colt pre war woodsman 1914
He had this gun as a kid and I plan to give  it to mine someday. The grips in the pic are just temporary while I look for originals in better shape than the ones I took off. It operates very well so I'm just thinking a re-surface job. I'm not sure I'm comfortable shipping it off for the work and I've gotten quotes from $300 to $3k.
Should I even consider doing this or just tuck it back in the safe?
Just thought it would be cool if it was back to the condition when great grandpa got it.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

[lostbackpacker]

I would leave it as is

[bobcat]

I would do whatever makes you happy. Myself, I would have have it re-blued. Are you anywhere near Chehalis? I can recommend a gunsmith who does bluing and he has a real quck turn around time too. So you wouldn't be without if for long and wouldn't have to worry about shipping it.

[washelkhunter]

I would leave it as is

You can't buy authentic old gun patina.

[T-Dozzer]

I would do whatever makes you happy. Myself, I would have have it re-blued. Are you anywhere near Chehalis? I can recommend a gunsmith who does bluing and he has a real quck turn around time too. So you wouldn't be without if for long and wouldn't have to worry about shipping it.

Live in Redmond north bend area

[stevemiller]

I would agree to leave it as it is and how it was when recieved from your grandpa.Give it to yours when your ready.  Hoping all the while that they leave it as you gave it to whoever.

[Jburke]

Only slightly off topic but thought this might be of interest to you.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=420671877

[T-Dozzer]

Appreciate that.
I could always go the re manufactured route too.

[T-Dozzer]

I'm sure he would roll over in his grave if he knew the grips he sanded finger grooves into go for $200 these days. He kept close tabs on his money.  He started up a bank in Eastern Wa (Davenport wa) called The Wheatland Bank.
Might even be some old timers on this forum who knew him.

[724wd]

Old gun patina is worth its weight in gold    I'd leave it if it were me.  If you do decide to have it redone, I'd be very picky about the finish applied.  Colt had a very blue bluing and not everyone can replicate it.  Often a refinished gun is worth less than a natural patina'd version.  but if it's a family piece, i wouldn't let price dictate what i did with it.  I have the same gun in similar condition from my grandpa and I'm leaving it as is.   

[h20hunter]

Me, as is all day long. Tuck it away and keep it.

[Gringo31]

The only thing I'd touch it with would be oil 

[rtspring]

Oil it, clean it, and shoot it!  Never restore an old gun! It has battle scars for a reason.. 

My .32 Winchester Special was taken to numerous appraisers and I was told by every single one to never restore it. 

Its not about the value to me, its the storys of the dings and scratches that live on.

[1bugman]

 

The only thing I'd touch it with would be oil 

[T-Dozzer]

724wd- that's a good point about the period specific bluing.  Looking at some mint models from early 1900's they do look different than what I see now days.  Plus I worry about the tight tolerances of gun. John Browning designed these like fine watches. The re - sale value isn't a concern,  but I'm seeing a trend here.

[Bofire]

I would leave it
Carl

[T-Dozzer]

Thanks for all the advice, I decided to tuck it bak in the ol safe. Heck, I might even get out it out a shot it sometime. It's a real nice shooter and pretty accurate.
I'm wondering if you of you guys have of of these pre-wars & how you like it.
A full break down isn't simple, parts hard to find. Anyone have experience or good place to find parts?

[Heredoggydoggy]

The only thing I'd touch it with would be oil 

Second that.  Do not refinish it!  You'll destroy its years of "character".   

[ghosthunter]

I would leave it as is

 

Most gun dealers prefer un altered old guns.

[T-Dozzer]

I can't be the only one on here with a pre-war.
How do you like them? Mine is zero'd out to 70yds.
I don't break it down cuz it's such a b##ch to get back together,

It's worse than the rugger mk II TO GET BACK TOGETHER

[724wd]

haven't really shot it, so i don't know if it's on or not, but i suspect it is...

with flash and without.  most of the bluing is still good on the frame, but the barrel is getting pretty thin

[T-Dozzer]

Nice looking gun. Interesting yours doesn't have the same markings. Do you know production year?
Pretty cool little guns!

[724wd]

Do you know production year?

1920 by the numbers.  209XX 

http://www.colt22.com/dates.html

Goes great with my 1928 Model 12 16 gauge!   

[724wd]

What year is yours?  http://www.colt22.com shows "The Woodsman" on the frame showing up starting at serial number 54000, or 1927-1928.  neat little pistols, for sure.  One thing i didnt know is the pre-1933 pistols shouldn't be used with high velocity .22, but regular low velocity stuff.  learn somethin' new every day!   

[T-Dozzer]

Yup. Standard velocity only in mine. I was told I could swap springs to use high velocity, but I don't see the need.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Yup. Standard velocity only in mine. I was told I could swap springs to use high velocity, but I don't see the need.

There's a way to tell what type of ammo the gun was made to shoot, by the checkering on the little square on the backstrap 0f the gun.  I'm no authority on them, so I don't know which is which, but a gun that old, I'd only shoot the standard velocity stuff anyway.