The original finish that was used on the RIA M1903 was parkerized and not blued. The parkerized finish is much more?æappealing.?æ
Suggested retail prices Blued Finish $ 318.00 Parkerized Finish $ 361.00 Hard Chrome Finish $ 377.00 AFAIK, there is no sn data published for Kel Tec. You could try calling them.
Polishing before finish was applied Actually they are two completely different processes using different chemicals with different results. Parkerizing is more rust resistant and will hold protection lube coating better and the finish changes color with age. Blueing doesn't change color except through wear.
I have seen a '57 model with a gold trigger, and the finish was wearing thru and it had a somewhat darkish, maybe blued look to it. So there is a possibility that the trigger's finish has worn off, and another possibility that the person went and either got the trigger blued, or they used a cold-blue substance on it to give it a finish to keep it from rusting/deteriorating.
Blue is a type of rust finish
the browning BDA is currently valued at between 225-450 dollars for a gun with a blued finish and original finish ranging from 60%-95%.If the gun has a finish of nickel then the price range is 250-495 dollars.
Yes
A blued finish is produced by controlled rusting, usually produced by a chemical reaction, that forms a thin layer of black iron oxide on the surface of the gun. This is a dark blue or black color, and helps protect the metal from corrosion. However, when subjected to the rigors of military usage, bluing was not adequate to protect the metal. Another finish, known as Parkerizing was developed to provide greater protection. This is a phosphate coating that is typically a grey/green flat (non-shiny) color. This was used on US military small arms starting just prior to WW II. The finish of the M-1 Garand, M-1 Carbine, and M-14 rifle is an example of Parkerizing.
A couple of hundred years.
With proper care and maintenance, a few hundred years.
$160-$200 Depending on the finish, blued or stainless
Impossible to answer without a detailed description of all features, condition, finish, box, papers, accessories, etc..
A few hundred years or so.