I have never had case colors redone on any gun but have a couple that were done. The reason is the fear of warping the frame. Does anyone have horror stories of warped frames or are all of the craftsmen mentioned safe to use?

Thanks

Mr. Harlow:
You're wise to avoid re-casing guns. It's not so much an issue of "safety" as it is luck. There is really no way to tell how or if a double gun part will warp in the re-case process. That said, some color case shops seem to have fewer problems than others.

Still, I have adopted the wise philosophy of Holland & Holland, as personally given to me: To never re-case a gun unless ordered to do so, and even then at the owner's risk. And H&H sends their work to St. Ledger!

After all, it's a cosmetic treatment 99% of the time.

In the hands of a skilled gunsmith who knows what he is doing warping should not be an issue. But one needs to make sure the coloring is being done by a smith who has the demonstrated experience in the process. Its both art and science imho. Brad Bachelder did 2 guns for me and the colors came out terrific. I have entrusted his son, Parker, with a legacy 16 ga Parker to case color and i am hopeful that he learned well from Brad. And may Brad rest in peace. He was just great to work with.