Hi guys. Still would be really careful with polish on F series 2nd and 3rds. I have shot and handled my old C series navy for over forty years and polished the silver when it needed it - wasn't a collector gun then and I didn't know better - and the bone coloring was never harmed by the polishing. It's all sort of muted now from use but not Bubba'd from cleaning. That gun #15061 was more grey on the frame than vibrant anyway. It was the least colorful of the twenty or so C navies I've had. Back then i liked it - didn't look so much like a repro.
I've seen a few F series guns that have been polished from time to time and the frames have muted areas that have a sheen on the frame near the brass that had to come from polish. Hey if the guns are otherwise crisp or old friends, it's no biggie to send the case bits to be recolored in bone. Just expensive.
I'd never recommend stripping the lacquer off the TG or BS of 3rd unless they were flaking then otherwise i say "off like a prom dress." My little 49er looks better without and since it isn't handled at all, still looks great. ifi who i, a little black here and there wouldn't be an issue.
Dang this hobby is fun!
