Author Topic: Uberti SAA grip finish  (Read 7236 times)

Offline hatman

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Uberti SAA grip finish
« on: February 24, 2017, 09:55:55 PM »
I have to preface by saying I've had a lot of fun with my Uberti's, but I'm wondering tonight about the grip finishes.
I know some folks don't like discussion about "period correct", but is the somewhat red and glossy finish the way 19th Century Colts would have left the factory?
If not, what would they have looked like?

Online Abilene

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2017, 11:49:22 PM »
The color is actually pretty accurate.  Many antiques have had the grips darken with age, especially the oil finish grips.

The shine from the Urethane finish is not original though it protects the grips pretty well.  Originals were generally varnished or oiled.

Offline hatman

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #2 on: February 25, 2017, 10:09:28 PM »
Thanks Abilene.

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #3 on: Today at 10:47:39 AM »

Offline Shenandoah

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2017, 03:35:07 PM »
A little paint stripper, a blade to scrape the poly off and some coarse steel wool will remove the glossy poly finish. Then you can oil the wood as you see fit.

The grips then look pretty good.

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2017, 05:56:29 PM »
A little paint stripper, a blade to scrape the poly off and some coarse steel wool will remove the glossy poly finish. Then you can oil the wood as you see fit.

The grips then look pretty good.

That's what I've done to several of mine.  Citristrip does a good job.  The grips then are very light colored so I stain with Minwax dark walnut (which isn't all that dark), and then give it an oil finish with Formby's tung oil, Birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil, or Ballistol.
This is one finished with Ballistol:

Offline Major 2

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #5 on: February 27, 2017, 10:07:42 PM »
Oh My , what ever will you think of me   :o

Abilene ...That is a nice piece of wood ......   almost Flame walnut  ;)

when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Virginia Gentleman

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2017, 12:39:43 AM »
Colts that were made for the civilian market were generally had their grips finished with an oil based varnish, but there were exceptions as some for the civilian market were oil finished with boiled linseed oil.  Almost all of those sold to the US government were finished with boiled linseed oil as it was cheaper and faster to apply.  BLO was also used for the government contracts because it met the requirements set by the government.

Offline reno

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2017, 05:49:37 AM »
I use nothing but a razor blade to remove the poly, being very careful at all edges, then I used 0000 steel wool. I then apply Brownells dark military walnut stain, let dry 24 hours buff with steel wool, then apply coats of Birchwood Tru-Oil to the desired color.

Reno

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2017, 02:07:01 AM »
American Black walnut  with only Skidmore's wood crème
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline Cliff Fendley

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2017, 07:56:49 AM »
Looks good Major2. Is that the 32 you got a while back?
http://www.fendleyknives.com/

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #10 on: April 01, 2017, 09:09:03 AM »
It is .... Coffin Maker is doing his magic on it now 
when planets align...do the deal !

Offline hatman

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #11 on: April 01, 2017, 04:21:02 PM »
It is .... Coffin Maker is doing his magic on it now 

Beautiful grips, Major.

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #12 on: April 01, 2017, 05:49:29 PM »
Thank you Sir
when planets align...do the deal !

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #13 on: April 01, 2017, 09:20:49 PM »
Yes, very nice!

A few years back when Cimarron first added Piettas to their line, the first guns all had oil finish grips.  I was thinking, yeah all right!  But I guess the boss man didn't like it??  Because after a very short time they all started coming with a Urethane finish like the Ubertis.

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Re: Uberti SAA grip finish
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2017, 06:45:29 PM »
That's what I've done to several of mine.  Citristrip does a good job.  The grips then are very light colored so I stain with Minwax dark walnut (which isn't all that dark), and then give it an oil finish with Formby's tung oil, Birchwood-Casey Tru-Oil, or Ballistol.
This is one finished with Ballistol:


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