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Post by nolongcolt on Jan 18, 2013 12:06:11 GMT -5
I, after many years of not looking at charcoal blue revolvers do now find myself liking the look. For those who came around sooner, how does it hold up compared to conventional blueing. Any particular problems with it?
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Post by taffin on Jan 18, 2013 13:19:45 GMT -5
MORE FRAGILE; WEARS MUCH QUICKER.
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Post by CraigC on Jan 18, 2013 13:48:03 GMT -5
What the import makers market as "charcoal blue" is really nitre bluing and it is very fragile. Real charcoal or carbona bluing as applied by Turnbull is a completely different finish and is the authentic finish for a 1st generation Colt. It is very labor intensive and more expensive than modern hot salt bluing but is tougher than most other forms of bluing and as such, wears very well. It will also have a softer luster, rather than a bright polish and is a more subtle color. The USFA Pre-war model like this one are charcoal blued.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jan 18, 2013 14:00:48 GMT -5
Thanks John and Craig, Kind of what I suspected. I may go for one anyway as I dont get much opportunity to really put any real holster time in with any of my SA's.
Gorgeous SA Craig!
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,505
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Post by steve on Jan 18, 2013 15:44:08 GMT -5
Here's another example of Turnbulls charcoal blue. It is beautiful but Craig's right, It's not a bright polish.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jan 18, 2013 15:52:08 GMT -5
Anothre fantastic looking SA! Those grips are unreal. Is that a reshaped SBH grip frame or something else custom?
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,505
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Post by steve on Jan 18, 2013 17:58:24 GMT -5
Aside from the finish, Alan Harton did all the work including the grips. He fit and extended a steel grip frame.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jan 18, 2013 18:16:23 GMT -5
I get it, thanks for that. Mighty purtty gun.
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Post by weagle99 on Jan 18, 2013 22:18:53 GMT -5
Here's another example of Turnbulls charcoal blue. It is beautiful but Craig's right, It's not a bright polish. That gun looks to have been extensively modified. If I'm not mistaken, that's a standard 3-screw frame that has been converted to a flattop?
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,505
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Post by steve on Jan 18, 2013 23:59:31 GMT -5
You are correct, It started life as a regular Blackhawk. Alan flat topped and welded the top strap.
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bobl44
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 80
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Post by bobl44 on Jan 19, 2013 12:28:35 GMT -5
Like a good custom car, alot of subtle stuff all coming together, mighty fine 409!
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gk2410
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 29
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Post by gk2410 on Jan 21, 2013 15:03:31 GMT -5
All three of these are Turnbull's original style Charcoal bluing. I've fallen in love with the look and durability. The normal bluing that we are used to looks like a surface finish and this looks like it's changed the metal to a new color. Others are correct that it's not a high polish blue/black, but I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Instead of wearing off, it appears to just thin. As soon as I can afford it, I'm going to do a 1911 in this color.
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RpR
.30 Stingray
Posts: 196
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Post by RpR on Jan 21, 2013 18:49:23 GMT -5
The original gloss Colts with charcoal blue, were hand polished by select craftsmen.
If you wish to pay for extra polishing there should be no reason it can not be as shiny as they were one hundred years ago.
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Post by weagle99 on Jan 21, 2013 20:13:48 GMT -5
gk2410, you should make a thread about those guns with details. Outstanding.
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Post by nolongcolt on Jan 21, 2013 22:33:28 GMT -5
Those are all gorgeous guns. Thanks to all for showing theirs.
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