engraving colts

[tdelewis]

I have an 1851 Colt that came from the Colt factory in 1971. Sometimes referred to as 2nd generation. As I understand, these guns had the parts made in Italy and were shipped to Colt where they were assembled and finished. The frame appears to be real case hardened. Later models made in the 90's and are referred to as 3rd generation were finished in Italy. No work was done on by Colt. The coloring on the frame is not case hardened and is easily engraved. I have engraved a SAA made by Uberti. It was my first gun and cut very nicely. My question is, does this 1971 production colt need to have the frame annealed. I plan on engraving this gun.

 

[JJ Roberts]

tdelewls Find a place on the frame and make a cut with your graver where it can't be seen. J.J.

 

[FANCYGUN]

The C and F series colts are color case hardened and have to be annealed. They are considered real colts even though some of the parts were made in Italy but they were assembled and finished by colt to their standards and the serial numbers were a continuation of the older original colt percussion guns
The signature series were not made by colt and not considered as colts
Interesting as I have a 4 screw F series army to engrave. I will need to anneal the frame unless somebody buys the gun and deny me the pleasure of engraving it some time down the road

 

[FANCYGUN]

as an additional bit of information, I just finished a pair or new 1873 Winchesters made in Japan. The frames have the appearance of color case hardening. However they are not hard and the cosmetic colors are easily removed with bluing remover, AKA Toilet bowl cleaner