irked
|
posted on April 16, 2006 12:23:18 PM new
I have problem just developed in last year of I believe Mother of Pearl or Pearl grip handles of one of my wife's pistols. It has darkened at corners shown in image and would greatly appreciate any information on how to maybe clean them up. I have sinking feeling this may not be able to be done but if we could at least try might help Deb's feelings.
We have looked on internet to no avail, maybe using wrong terms.
Bear don't you work with guns maybe you might know some way to clear this up or help it? YEP my wife wiped down the guns with oil with the grips on which she will not do again. I have no idea what she used last as no problem in past 50 years until now.
HELP from anyone please.
**************
Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
[ edited by irked on Apr 16, 2006 12:23 PM ]
|
Bear1949
|
posted on April 16, 2006 12:54:58 PM new
If the discoloration has been caused by gun oils (which appears to be the case) you may not be able to get them cleaned up to original condition.
That said, since mother of pearl is so similar to actual pearls, use only solvents which are approved safe for pearls themselves.
Carefully remove the grips so you have access to all sides and surfaces.
Do not soak the grips in any type of solvent and do not use household cleaners. Use a cleaning cloth that is approved for use on pearls. A gentle rubbing motion should remove most of the surface discoloration but may not remove any stain that has penetrated into the pearl.
You should be able to locate one of these cloths at a reputable jewelry store in your area.
When cleaning the revolven in the future remove the grips, throughly clean & wipe the gun dry then use a silicone cleaning cloth to wipe it down again.
Then reattach the grips.
Hope it helps.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
|
irked
|
posted on April 16, 2006 01:23:25 PM new
Bear, do you by chance know where I can get some of the solvent for pearl a Jewlery store perhaps? or its name? I removed the handles after posting my question and it seems it may be absorbed but hopefully I can get a cloth at a Jewelers and find a Pearl cleaning solution. I have not tried to clean with anything. I didn't think of going to a jeweler. Thanks.
**************
Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
|
Bear1949
|
posted on April 16, 2006 01:59:09 PM new
Dont know of a name brand of cleaner or a specific jewelers name. Dig out the phone book and call around to some local high end jewelry stores and get a recomendation of a brand from them.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
|
hillbillymo
|
posted on April 16, 2006 02:39:17 PM new
If the grips are true MOP, not a plastic composite. You might remove the stain by bleaching, using peroxide that they bleach hair with. MOP is hard and can withstand substantial buffing and polishing in the event some of the luster is removed by bleaching. If the grips are plastic wet-sand with 1000 grit or finer sandpaper and re-polish with automotive grade compound. I would remove the grips from the gun and inspect to see if the staining is present on the backside and try a few methods there first. Upon discovering what works best then clean the exposed areas.
|
kraftdinner
|
posted on April 16, 2006 04:05:17 PM new
This might not mean anything, but I heard that if something is made from bakelite and you try to clean it with Fantastic, it will turn a caramel colour. That's how they test for real bakelite. I was thinking this might be what the handle is really made of because real MOP would chip too easily and wouldn't turn colour like that. (???)
|
irked
|
posted on April 16, 2006 04:16:18 PM new
They are real MOP. I took grips off and the underside is not so bad but had thought to practice there first. Will check a Repitable Jeweler first before attempting anything. Will keep all these replies in mind.
My wife and her 2 brothers are thinking of selling all their Colt Pistols in an auction that will be nationwide advertised but it is yet to be decided. But we want to at least try and put these handles back to better condition. Their Father collected guns and all of them were left to the 3 of them. All together there is 8 SA Colts.
If it looks like we can't fix backside which isn't affected much them we may just leave as is if they do decide to sell them. Of course the grips were put on the gun by the Father back in the 1950's and are not original but would like them to look as nice as possible.
**************
Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
|
Bear1949
|
posted on April 16, 2006 05:09:23 PM new
FYI, on the SAA Colts. A 3rd generation SAA in VG condition will sell for a min of $900 to $1000. Possibly more depending on caliber & barrel length. If you still have the original boxes they came with, add $75 to $150. If they are unfired add another $500 to $600.
1St & 2nd gen models will bring more depending on condition & "etc".
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
|
irked
|
posted on April 16, 2006 05:30:19 PM new
Dates range from 1874 to 1905 I believe. No boxes 2 were renickled or nickled in the 50's but that brought value down we know.
One imaged here is one of the ones that were redone many moons ago. I know that 6 of them are 44-40. All have been fired.
As far as knowing generations I am at a loss but my wife's brothers know all about them the best.
Their Father died in 1990 and he collected the guns all back in the 1940's and 50's and had been offered 20 thousand back in the mid 1980's for one set of 6 in a glass case he displayed them in. It is very hard to find someone that will tell you the real worth of the guns unless we invested in an appraisal by an expert. Heard of one (appraiser) in Kansas I think it was, but that is a wee bit far.
Here is image of that entire gun if you want to see it.
**************
Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
[ edited by irked on Apr 16, 2006 05:33 PM ]
|
piinthesky
|
posted on April 16, 2006 05:48:17 PM new
Bear, I saw something interesting in a local gun shop yesterday. It was a Colt Python .357 in unfired condition with a serial number of (I can't remember how many zeros in front) 00003 and the price was about $1500.00 Do you think it could be worth that much?
ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø
|
Bear1949
|
posted on April 16, 2006 06:43:07 PM new
Irked, with those dates they would be 1st gen SAA's. Refinishing them did reduce their value some, but the fact they are 1st gen's should outway the negatives. 44-40's are the 2nd most popular for Cowboy action shooters, 45 Colts are the most popular.
What part of the country are you in? Don't I remember you saying you were in Witcha Falls?
PI, for that price and s/n number its a steal.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
|
profe51
|
posted on April 16, 2006 07:58:26 PM new
Single action. A real pistol. purty one too....too bad you gotta sell em. I wouldn't part with any of mine.
____________________________________________
|
profe51
|
posted on April 16, 2006 08:02:56 PM new
by the way irked, I sorta like that discoloration..gives the piece character....but I'm partial to old beat up stuff.
____________________________________________
|
bebeboom
|
posted on April 16, 2006 08:30:34 PM new
Men and their Guns!!
Mine is bigger than yours.
Mine is prettier.
Mine handles better.
Mine shoots straight.
Mine shoots further.
Mine gives more bang for the buck.
Mine never misfires.
Mine handles easily.
Mine is always loaded and ready.
Mine is oiled and clean at all times.
Mine shoots blanks!
[ edited by bebeboom on Apr 16, 2006 08:42 PM ]
|
Bear1949
|
posted on April 16, 2006 08:50:18 PM new
Men and their Guns!!
After four husbands, you should be an expert on men and their guns
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
|
bebeboom
|
posted on April 16, 2006 08:52:55 PM new
Well.. ya.. I've handled a few.. LOL
|
piinthesky
|
posted on April 16, 2006 08:59:45 PM new
Women and their..........?
Mine is prettier.
Mine handles better.
Mine gives more bang for the buck.
Mine handles easily.
Mine is always ready.
Mine is oiled and clean at all times.
ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø ø¤º°`°º¤ø
|
bebeboom
|
posted on April 16, 2006 09:01:34 PM new
|
irked
|
posted on April 16, 2006 09:29:36 PM new
We don't have to sell them it is a current thought at the moment as they are such collector pieces and not really safe to display in our home. Deb has them in our gun safe and either wants to sell them to let someone else be happy or maybe putting them in a museum. That was suggested also but then we would have to travel to see them. We heard you had to carry big time insurance policy on them if put in a museum?? Not real sure about that though. If sold we could just get on with life with them out of our care and worry.
Bear I am just South of Wichita Falls. You ever make the gun shows there? Deb's Dad use to do the shows in the late 1970's and 80's there and in Dallas and Ft. Worth, Abilene and a few other places, when his health permitted.
LOL bebe , now if you can get that huge plasma TV you can say all those things too but don't oil it.
**************
Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
|
Bear1949
|
posted on April 17, 2006 07:02:47 AM new
We dont get into that area for shows, yet.
If you want to get an appraisial or sell them, here are a couple of opportunities near you.
The NRA's 11th Annual National Gun Collectors Show will be hosted by the Dallas Arms Collectors Association at Market Hall on September 23-24 in Dallas, Texas
I cant find a link for it yet but the Great Western Gun Show also held in Dallas would be a good place to get an idea of their value.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
|
irked
|
posted on April 17, 2006 10:20:35 AM new
Thanks Bear will keep that in mind and pass on the information to all involved.
**************
Some minds are like concrete,
thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
|
