[ping10]

I have a chance to buy a early 1943 RR very cheap. However, it has been completely nickeled. Does anyone have a price range that it would be to have it refinished at Turnbull or if there is someone else that might do it. The gun has all the correct parts. I'm just wondering if it would be worth it to bring it back to original condition. Hate to see a USGI looking like it does.

Thanks for any pricing help.....

Colin

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I have a chance to buy a early 1943 RR very cheap. However, it has been completely nickeled. Does anyone have a price range that it would be to have it refinished at Turnbull or if there is someone else that might do it. The gun has all the correct parts. I'm just wondering if it would be worth it to bring it back to original condition. Hate to see a USGI looking like it does.

Thanks for any pricing help.....

Colin

Go to your website and e-mail them. Their guy will answer you with price and details you ask for in a day or two. They are very good about that.

 

[Collects]

You are probably better off finding one with the finish and condition you want.

 

[ping10]

You are probably better off finding one with the finish and condition you want.

I already have one but can get this one for a few hundred. I am not familiar with refinishing pricing so if it could be done for 5-6 hundred I figured I might do it. Any more than that I would most likely pass. The gun is in great shape except for it being nickeled.

 

[Bigfifty]

You are probably better off finding one with the finish and condition you want.

Wouldn't we all if it were that easy

 

[dogface6]

Adding what you'd have to spend to the cost of this one, and buying one with original finish would make the most sense.

No matter who does the work - it'll always be a refinished piece, and will be worth less, should you ever sell or trade it.

The exception to that is if it's a true military rebuild - done at the time the piece was still in Service - and when those are compared to the ones with original finish, they still bring less.

'Back in the Day' - after WWII - many, many surplus service weapons were plated by their owners as a way of 'civilianizing' them and making them pretty.

 

[rhmc24]

I can report on several Turnbull jobs they have done for me -- but only part of the info you may need. I have sent them several 1902 & '05 automatics that I have done my own prep and polish work. Typical cost to have lettering replaced and their premium charcoal blue was a tad under $500. Their lettering, logos, etc is impressed into the metal like Colt did it. Others (& I've tried several others) do laser or hi-speed rotary cutting that can look nice but no way authentic. Turnbulls did one New Service blue job, after my prep for approx same cost as others quoted.

While on the subject, Turnbulls did a frame case color on a SAA, didn't require any prep work, charging me $50 for barrel remove/reinstall & $300 for the case color job.

Their in-house labor rates are apparently pretty high as seen from the pricing of their conpletely restored pieces in the $5k range, probably a lot of tedious hand work to achieve 'perfection'.

I once inquired by phone approx cost to 'restore' one of my 1870s SAAs and found the cost started at about $3600 and went up from there depending on new parts needed. My cylinder with all its sharp edges rounded, new $600, tired old wood grips, etc ---- made me give up the idea.

 

[SSD]

I say there is loss in calling and making the inquiry. If you want it, get it and have the work done. My reasoning is simple: I agree it is a shame to see a USGI 1911 messed up so badly. Plenty of other nickel 45's out there that belong that way. This one, OTOH, is a part of history. JMO.