FA High Polish Option (MD)

[cprher]

I'm in the process of buying a FA 83 with a bright polish finish.  The seller tells me the gun came from the factory with that finish and it was not done after the sale by someone outside of FA.  The gun was made in the 80's (D88XX) and comes with micarta grips.  The only other FA I've seen with this type of finish was the original commemorative Model 83 sold in the 80's that had fixed sights, Dick Casull's signature on the barrel and came in a case with a set of dies.  What can you folks tell me about the bright polished finish and whether FA provided that as an option?
Keith
410-693-9265 cell
cprher@verizon.net

[Carlislegr]

I have a custom shop price sheet dated July 1, 1990 that lists a "Mirror polish" as an option only available on premeir grade guns.  The price listed is $800.00.  The gun alone listed at $1283.00 so it was an expensive option.  The 1994 custom price sheet no longer shows it as an option.  I don't have custom shop sheets prior to 1990 so don't know when the option was first available.  I have a signature gun and while nice, I don't think I would spend $800 for the mirror polish.  I hope this helps.

[cprher]

That matches exactly what I was told by the seller...$800 option.  Gun was made in mid-80's so that matches up as well.  According to seller, factory did it in house because they could not find anyone on the outside reliable enough to do it.  Thanks.  Would it be possible for you to send me an image (.pdf) of the price sheet you are referring to?
Keith
cprher@verizon.net
410-693-9265

[free4ever]

Yikes! $800 smaker-roos for the polish job! Egads! Was at the top of my wish list and sure I posted about this before as an option I would like to see return (I didn't know the cost at the time). If the whole "package deal" is at a fair price I would snatch that puppy up fo sure! Usually the original buyer of engraving (factory) and finish options like this don't see a real good return on investment, so they make excellent second-hand purchases (you avoid the depreciation).

[cprher]

Well, the Model 83 I just paid for (but have yet to see first hand) cost me $1300.  It has black micarta grips, fixed sights and a 4 3/4" barrel.  I'll let you know the details when I see it in a few days.
Keith

[free4ever]

cprher...$1300 sounds like a real steal with this finish option. Congratulations! Hope you will find time during this busy Christmas time of year to post some pictures to share. The 83 with fixed sights was always my favorite...I went for the little brother 97 in 45colt due to the cost difference. Still very happy with my 5 shooter...bought it a bore-store gun sock for Christmas to keep it happy and rust free

[big800]

I was looking at that Gun.  Looks like a good deal to me enjoy

[cprher]

I've learned to be really wary of good deals until I actually can handle the gun and see for myself.  It's been shipped so I don't have much longer to wait.  The seller has a 7 day inspection period so I feel comfortable with the deal so far.  Will let everyone know.
Keith

[cprher]

Well, it's good to be skeptical.  I called FA today and spoke with Denise and John.  They confirmed my polished Model 83 left the factory in 12/85 as a 4 3/4" fixed sight gun with wood grips and a standard finish.  The only rework record they have is for 9/09 when it came back for an action upgrade to the new, thicker safety bar and spring.  The black micarta grips and the mirror polish are probably not factory items.  Oh well.  But since I didn't buy it to collect but rather to shoot, as long as it's mechanically up to snuff and whomever did the polish didn't honk anything up, I'm a happy man.  Time to get the feeler gauges out to make sure the original tight tolerances were not sacrificed for looks.  More later.
Keith

[cprher]

Gun arrived yesterday and I took a quick look at it.  Will give it a close examination today.  From what I could see the polish job is the best that I have ever seen on any gun anywhere.  It may or may not be a factory job but the quality is unmatched.  Looking down the flat surfaces at a shallow angle (where any imperfections or waviness become readily apparent) all I could see was straight reflections.  I don't believe it could be done by hand and be that perfect.  Every surface as polished except the front of the cylinder.  The gun has obviously had an action job and the micarta grips have a very close fit to the frame.  It's been fired so its collector's value is shot, but this will turn out to be a very nice shooter.  My only concern now is how accurate it is and where it shoots.  For $1300 I think I got lucky.
Keith

[Wiking]

I can't even begin to imagine how a polished FA looks like. But if you are kind enough to upload a few pictures... I don't have to use my imagination 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who would appreciate a look!

[cprher]

Here are the pictures I have comparing it to my standard finish Premier:





Keith

[big800]

I like it I looked long and hard at that one. 

[c.r.]

i have to say that I am bit amazed with how well that revolver looks.  First, I think fixed sight single actions look better than adj. sight guns.  The lines just look smoother on a fixed sight gun.  Fixed sight guns just "flow"......IMO.

On my monitor, the micarta grips looks like they have a bit of "pattern" in them, which I like.

That finish looks as good as any nickel finish i've seen, but the most surprising part, is the finish seems to have blended the lines of the gun a bit, just easier trasitions from one part of the gun to another part.

congratulations on your purchase.
~c.r.

[Wiking]

Wow 

That sure does look good!! I really lives up to the "mirror finish" claim.