1950's Colt reworks

[OD#3]

In 1941, Colt quit making the SAA, and they didn't reintroduce it until 1956.  During the interim, I can think of nothing Colt produced that would have required color case-hardening.  So, if someone sent a SAA to Colt in the early 1950's for a complete refurbishment and possible caliber change, how would Colt have accomplished the refinishing of the frame?  The reason I ask, is because a friend of mine has what he's been told is an early 1950's Colt factory refurbishment of a 1st Gen Colt SAA.  Everything about it suggests that this is true, right down to the new assembly numbers having been stamped on the backstrap, trigger guard, loading gate, hammer, and cylinder.  Also, the flats are flat, the contours are true, and no attempt was made to buff out a few legacy pits and dings that remain.  It is how I would expect Colt to have done it.  However, the frame was obviously re-casehardened using the cyanide process so often used by Christy and others during the 1950's.  Anyone read anything about how Colt would have had their SAA frames color casehardened during factory refurbishment before they resurrected the SAA line in 1956? 

[Coffinmaker]

PAINT 

[Dave T]

Maybe Colt sent the frame off to Christy to have it done. That wouldn't be unreasonable for a one off, particualrly if they weren't doing CC anymore. Just sayin'.

Dave

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