Pre model 15 question? Photos added

[redleg155]

I've been fortunate lately and picked up two pre model 15's.  Both are very clean.  One is 113xxx (1951 I think) and the other is 140xxx, probably a year or two "newer."  Both are clearly original finish and numbers matching guns. 

The later one has a slightly plum / brown color to the the cylinder.  It has not been refinished; is this common?  If so, what causes it?  Maybe the metal is slightly different and/or heat treating causes the finish to fade to plum / brown over time. 

Don't know so fill me in - thanks.

redleg

Photos added:

This one is the "newer" of the two with the plum / brown cylinder.  Maybe a harsh cleaning solution or solvent was used to clean it up...?


Here is the "older" one, just for fun and comparison.

[Mohawk]

Hard to tell without knowing the storage or carry history of each gun. I doubt it would be a heat treating issue. Maybe the bluing process was a little off the day the gun was made? Revolvers were mass produced during that time period so I would expect a few minor cosmetic flaws.

[redleg155]

Mohawk,

You're right and I know nothing about the history of either of these.  I've just become their caretaker this year.  I did do a little searching and there seems to be some consensus that the bluing salt concetration and/or temperature used can result in a fade to plum over a long period.  Nothing wrong with the gun though - in fact I was shooting it a lunchtime today. 

Regards - redleg & thanks.

[Mohawk]

Yeah, as long as she is a good shooter that is the most anyone could ask for a production gun. My Model 28 is 53 yrs old and has been run over by a Georgia State Police vehicle decades ago. But she is still a great gun. Filled the freezer with venison in 2008. She is ugly as sin but a great functional workhorse. I was going to retire her last year and mount it. But I felt she would be more at home loaded and ready, indeed she is. 

[Ken ONeill]

Plum color is often seen on Dan Wessons, and is relatively common on the older Ruger single actions.

[williamlayton]

It is a form of rust. Now don't get all excited and think it is in bad shape or lost value.
Those styles of blueing were not as well controlled---on the other hand some of the prettiest blueing jobs there are.
It is just the way it aged, in the enviroment it was kept in. I am fond of the Plum.
It should keep that patena for along time depending on your use and wear.
You can always get it reblued.
Blessings

[pastorp]

To a collector it will be worth more like it is. Refinished guns take a hit on price.

Regards,

[nova71]

my Dan Wesson is one of those, my side plate is plum, rest of the gun is blue/black. it's been that way since new, I sorta got use to it