[Free_Stater]

I rode up to Florence today and picked up two guns from the Birdsong family's Black T shop. As usual I wasn't disappointed with the quality or price of the finish. I love being bored, knowing exactly what I'm going to get when I ask for something.

At top is a Model 10 Heavy Barrel I picked up for $150 a few years back. It's been in my gun safe ever since because the finish was badly worn. Mechanically, though, it was just fine, so I figured one of these days I'd get around to having it refinished.

The second gun is a Model 638 that's ridden in my front pants pocket more times than I could count. Over the last five or six years it had gotten worn and shiny in places on the stainless barrel and cylinder, and the finish was flaking off the aluminum frame in chunks. Black T restoration was indicated for both.

I should mention here that coating internal parts--even the springs--with this finish means a very thin coating of a self lubricating finish on already nicely finished parts. Thus, the actions on both have improved a good bit. The insides are just slicker, and slicker is better.

 

[Xd357]

Very nice. I love the black-T finish. It's the real deal.

 

[jakeg823]

I'm from Florence and not familiar with them...where are they located? What all do they offer? Just refinishing?

Looks like they did a great job

 

[sidroski]

I'm from Florence also, only 10 years or so but never heard of them. Work looks nice, might throw them some business sometimes, keep my little bit around Florence.
BTW, good looking pistols. Nicest Mod 10 I've seen in a while.

 

[captain-03]

Now that is a finish I could really learn to like!!

Great looking revolvers you have there!!

 

[jbpmidas]

Great looking weapons! Who says revolvers aren't black guns?

 

[Free_Stater]

Folks, if you've never heard of Black T, I suggest you Google the term "Birdsong Black T." Smith and Wesson offered it as an option on a limited run of .44 Magnum Hunters, and Springfield offered a few "special" guns with the finish; several law enforcement agencies use it on their special ops teams. The FBI, DEA, and Los Angeles Police Department have been customers, along with at least one foreign military that I know of. The finish has been around for quite a few years, pioneered by the late Walter Birdsong, whose son Walter Jr. now runs the family business along with brother Tyler.

The reason you don't know where they are located is that they have very little walk in business, i.e. no storefront, per se. I just happen to know the secret handshake and how to keep the watchdog from eating me alive when I walk through the door.

Okay, you really can walk in the door if you want. See their website for directions, phone numbers and email contact information. I'd suggest calling first.

Birdsong Black T and Green T

 

[Free_Stater]

To save a classic from ruin...

This used to be a badly beaten up "S" series Model 58 S&W that went up to Florence a few years back. Nobody would call it ugly now.

 

[jakeg823]

wow...i've lived here for 18 years(since i was 3) and had no clue there was anything like that in the area...also only been into guns for bout the past 4 years or so...and only really heavily recently, so its really not that surprising I guess

 

[powerstrokin06]

If ya dont mind me asking what do they charge for a full gun coat like so????? I want to do my Ruger Sp101 and Gemini wants $300......OUCH!!!! Also how well does it wear if anything like a park finish then I'm in....thanks

 

[jakeg823]

If ya dont mind me asking what do they charge for a full gun coat like so????? I want to do my Ruger Sp101 and Gemini wants $300......OUCH!!!! Also how well does it wear if anything like a park finish then I'm in....thanks

the OP will obviously have updated prices, but i started googling them and a rough estimate would be in the $125 range for handguns and $200ish for long guns...but thats the internet for you.......so take it w/ a grain of salt

 

[Xd357]

That's a good estimate. Powerstrokin call them their good people.

 

[Free_Stater]

Those figures sound about right, JakeG.

Every finish wears, but this one is very, very tough and very long lasting. For most people it will last a lifetime.

 

[SilentHitz]

Very nice pistols, I've had a few done by Birdsong...always been pleased.

 

[jakeg823]

After looking at their site for a while I thought about it and I've got a mossy 930spx I've been wanting finished in OD for a while so I'm considering giving those guys a call

 

[nonnieselman]

SA sends them their handguns in the white so they can apply their finish for the FBI and such.. They also do the finish on the Tango 51 sniper rifles.

Very good people and an amazing finish the late Birdsong came up with..

I was reading a test that someone did on their finish.. an astonishing amount of hours.. i wanna say 6000hrs in a salt spray corrision test and only reason they stopped it was because they couldnt get the finish to wear nor any corrision was appearing.

Hows that for a finish??
Plus the finish has some MD moly debium? i cant spell the chemical but its in the finish and a perfect lubricant. So cleaning is a snap and no oil needs be applied.

 

[Guest]

When I finish my Kimber The last thing will be a trip to Florence for a Black-T finish.

 

[sidroski]

Talked to them today. They're just down the road from me and I never saw them. Talked with the lady and she said they take about 8 weeks but they break it down all the way and finish it inside and out. Got one I'm going to drop one off and see what she looks like, may send a couple more beaters their way, everything I seen come out of there is to notch.

 

[jakeg823]

Talked to them today. They're just down the road from me and I never saw them. Talked with the lady and she said they take about 8 weeks but they break it down all the way and finish it inside and out. Got one I'm going to drop one off and see what she looks like, may send a couple more beaters their way, everything I seen come out of there is to notch.

be sure to post pics in 8 weeks. my only issue is i dont have any beaters to send their way, most of my guns are fairly new...the only things i'd consider would be my mossy, MAYBE my savage, but i like the stainless...probably be nice on my kimber, but once again i like the bi-tone and all black would just ruin it for me

 

[e.martin]

thats it im taking my deer rifle down their soon I kept saying I was gonna do it this just pushed me over the edge