The backstrap bluing is not quite of the same hue as Colt bluing of that time frame. Also, look at the abrupt change from the patina of the trigger guard to the 100% remaining finish of the backstrap. This is not a normal wear pattern. Cannot be anything other than reblued.
I wouldn't try to "relic" what is already a relic. The replies here are converting a modern replica into some imagined condition. "
No it will never be the real thing but I can assure you after holding it aged it does give you a feel that it's an old old old gun. " You have a real Colt from long ago.
There are reasons the frame and trigger guard could have silvered including what I already said, sitting deep in a wet holster, or a cheap holster that was acid tanned. Lots of examples I found searching the internet. If my holster scenario is true, the grip strap was out in the air, not getting stripped. Or the grip strap was replaced with a later one. (you could look for a poorer condition one)
I'd like a few Colt finish experts to weigh in, before you decide to start dunking in Dr. Pepper or abrading that finish off. I'd like expert opinion on if the grip has been reblued. It looks like a Colt finish to me. But I'm no expert. Better to try to fix the frame finish, than to strip the grip finish, to me.
On artificially aging modern guns, that's a different matter. But remember, when a gun was bought new in 1871....it LOOKED new. In 1900, it still looked pretty good, after hard use, but good care. Only 4 generations later, after sitting unoiled in a holster for decades, left in basement trunks, or handled by grandkids playing Cowboys and Indians, does it look like a gray gun. The idea that a "relic'd" gun is somehow more authentic is to believe that everyone in the old West left their guns out in the rain and ruined them in the first 6 months. Didn't happen. (BTW, I don't like "relic'd" guitars either, when a company sells a brand new guitar with horrible scuffs, finish erosion, and dings, so the owner can pretend he's got a 1960s Rock Star guitar).
Don't do anything rash based on trying to do these things. Removing a finish on an 1800s Colt is an anathema to Colt Collecting. About a year ago a new member and new collector showed a pre war 1911 he had recently gotten. He proudly proclaimed that "it cleaned up nice." All the posts here about cleaning, flitzing, using steel or bronze wool to "fix" a finish must have been read. His 1911 showed obvious signs of rigorous cleaning. The blue was thinned, and all edges showed white metal. I found the "before" picture and the gun looked great, a true survivor with just tiny freckling here and there. It was turned into a bubba job "clean" gun with very shiny flat surfaces....but very rounded, white edges. We need to be careful when people start recommending extreme measures on an antique gun finish. Because they often just make it worse, for future collectors. Like people will say, "it's your gun", but I like others to consider what I'm saying.
