I got this Hombre recently and for those that don't know, the finish on these is a nasty-looking flat-black/crinkle type blue that looks very wrong on an SAA. So I mustered up the courage to take some vinegar/water solution to it and rub off the "high wear" areas with some 0000 steel wool, and "age" the grips a little to match. I like it a LOT better now, as it's got personality and looks like a real SAA that's been carried and used for decades.

Video overview and first shots for those interested.
https://youtu.be/S4d-3tzml1g

You know, I’m not generally a fan of the artificial “relic” look, but in that case I think it’s an improvement. That flat black finish looks so wrong on these guns.

If there ever was a legitimate reason to artificially age a firearm I think this is it.

How far did you tear down the gun to do this? I’ve never even removed a screw on a Colt clone but you took an ugly gun and made it quite nice. I’ve always been a sucker for brass frames. Nice job.

I guess my question is how did you get all the solution out when you wanted to kill the reaction?

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
How far did you tear down the gun to do this? I’ve never even removed a screw on a Colt clone but you took an ugly gun and made it quite nice. I’ve always been a sucker for brass frames. Nice job.

I guess my question is how did you get all the solution out when you wanted to kill the reaction?

I had the grips off and the cylinder out but otherwise left it intact for the soak and scrub. I wanted the wear on the screws and ejector housing to look more genuine. I disassembled it and hosed everything down with clean water, then hosed with moose milk, then wiped/blew it dry, then hosed with straight ballistol. I’ve been watching for any sign of rust and there’s a tad of discoloration in the cylinder bolt notches but otherwise it seems good to go.

quote:

Originally posted by P220 Smudge:
You know, I’m not generally a fan of the artificial “relic” look, but in that case I think it’s an improvement. That flat black finish looks so wrong on these guns.

totally agree. I’d have a hard time doing this on a polished/blued revolver.

Here's my Griswald I made.

That’s cool.