Back in June, I spied a brand new Colt Gold Cup at a LGS and, since I'd wanted one for years, I snagged it. The price was MSRP minus a discount for being a veteran. When I got it home and field stripped it; after a proper lube job, I started the reassembly process. When it came time to reinsert the slide stop, I couldn't get it to seat. In my efforts, I managed to scratch it ever so slightly. Mad at myself, I reasoned that, since I didn't like the finish anyway, I'd just get it reblued. After a bit of research, I found a gentleman about an hour from me and took it to him. It was inspected carefully and, after I showed him the scratch, he said, "That's nothing but, I'm with you. The finish is not too good." The price was set and he said, "I'll call you in three months or so."
Unfired & slightly scratched, it looked like this:
On every roll-mark, you could feel raised metal. That surprised the 'smith that Colt didn't do a bit more surface prep. He said he'd fix that without marring the depth of the roll-marks. He called the other day and said it was ready. Here are the results of his efforts:
Now, it's finish is comparable to my 1978 Series 70 1911.
Mike