Refinishing Colt Cobra - The Firearms Forum

CountryGunsmith · 02-23-2003, 11:15 PM

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(1/7/02 3:58:46 pm)
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I am figuring on refinishing the following:

Colt COBRA .38 Spec. Ctg.
2" barrel Serial # B 94521 7 CR
SQ. Butt Nickle Finish 6 shot
Original silver medallions
NRA excellent

---------------------------------
I want to refinish the entire gun.
How would I go about doing it.....
meaning a complete restoration?
Any ideas or expert suggestions.
I have never attempted to do this
before. So, any hekp is really appreciated.

Charlie D

AntiqueDr
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(1/7/02 4:28:18 pm)
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ezSupporter
Re: Colt "COBRA" .38
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Charlie,

Perhaps I'm missing something, but if its in NRA Excellent condition now - what is there to restore?

The frame of that gun is aluminum, while the cylinder and barrel are steel. The problem is going to be with the frame. To correctly replate the gun, it must be completely dismounted including removing the barrel from the frame. The old nickel and underlying copper (or zinc) must be electrolytically stripped. That in itself is no big deal. The problem is that when the gun was originally made, the parts were polished FIRST then rollmarked with the Rampant Colt, etc. There is almost no way to properly prepare the metal for the new plating without losing some of the detail, particularly on the Rampant Colt. Then the base coat is plated, followed by the nickel itself.

To have this done correctly means having it done by a shop that can recut or restamp the Colt and the lettering. This is going to cost way more than a 1974 Colt Cobra is worth.
We Buy Guns! 1 - 100, Antique or Modern!
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(1/7/02 5:05:00 pm)
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The gun finish is flaking just below the firing pin on both sides of the frame.
Are there any alternatives that I can consider?
OR should I just forget it?
Thanks Andy
Charlie D

AntiqueDr
Senior Chief Moderator Staff
Posts: 1726
(1/7/02 5:22:47 pm)
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ezSupporter
Re: Colt "COBRA" .38
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That's not uncommon on the alloy frame Colts. I personally would not spend the money on it.

We Buy Guns! 1 - 100, Antique or Modern!
www.apaxenterprises.com

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(1/7/02 5:37:14 pm)
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Thanks Andrew. I appreciate your advise.
Charlie D
Indecision may,
or may not,
be my problem...
(We have snow today....)

02-23-2003, 11:15 PM	#1
CountryGunsmith Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Deep Piney Woods of East Texas Posts: 5,116	Refinishing Colt Cobra Different name V.I.P. Forum Host Posts: 954 (1/7/02 3:58:46 pm) Reply \| Edit \| Del All Colt "COBRA" .38 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am figuring on refinishing the following: Colt COBRA .38 Spec. Ctg. 2" barrel Serial # B 94521 7 CR SQ. Butt Nickle Finish 6 shot Original silver medallions NRA excellent --------------------------------- I want to refinish the entire gun. How would I go about doing it..... meaning a complete restoration? Any ideas or expert suggestions. I have never attempted to do this before. So, any hekp is really appreciated. Charlie D AntiqueDr Senior Chief Moderator Staff Posts: 1723 (1/7/02 4:28:18 pm) Reply \| Edit \| Del ezSupporter Re: Colt "COBRA" .38 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlie, Perhaps I'm missing something, but if its in NRA Excellent condition now - what is there to restore? The frame of that gun is aluminum, while the cylinder and barrel are steel. The problem is going to be with the frame. To correctly replate the gun, it must be completely dismounted including removing the barrel from the frame. The old nickel and underlying copper (or zinc) must be electrolytically stripped. That in itself is no big deal. The problem is that when the gun was originally made, the parts were polished FIRST then rollmarked with the Rampant Colt, etc. There is almost no way to properly prepare the metal for the new plating without losing some of the detail, particularly on the Rampant Colt. Then the base coat is plated, followed by the nickel itself. To have this done correctly means having it done by a shop that can recut or restamp the Colt and the lettering. This is going to cost way more than a 1974 Colt Cobra is worth. We Buy Guns! 1 - 100, Antique or Modern! www.apaxenterprises.com Different name V.I.P. Forum Host Posts: 955 (1/7/02 5:05:00 pm) Reply \| Edit \| Del Re: Colt "COBRA" .38 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The gun finish is flaking just below the firing pin on both sides of the frame. Are there any alternatives that I can consider? OR should I just forget it? Thanks Andy Charlie D AntiqueDr Senior Chief Moderator Staff Posts: 1726 (1/7/02 5:22:47 pm) Reply \| Edit \| Del ezSupporter Re: Colt "COBRA" .38 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- That's not uncommon on the alloy frame Colts. I personally would not spend the money on it. We Buy Guns! 1 - 100, Antique or Modern! www.apaxenterprises.com Different name V.I.P. Forum Host Posts: 957 (1/7/02 5:37:14 pm) Reply \| Edit \| Del Re: Colt "COBRA" .38 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thanks Andrew. I appreciate your advise. Charlie D Indecision may, or may not, be my problem... (We have snow today....) -->