There has recently been an interesting and ongoing discussion on another Gun Collector's forum that centered around this revolver. TJ did not post pics on that forum, but I agreed to post them here, and pose the question as to what he should do - Refinish/Restore or Clean and Leave AS IS? The history of the gun includes some time in the hands of a local law enforcement officer. Love to see your thoughts.



p.s. When I get some more photos I'll post them here...

Photos Added 11/29/07:

This message has been edited. Last edited by: RKmesa,

does TJ want to keep it and shoot it, keep it and not shoot it, or sell it for a profit? as stated here before, the Kansas City guns were about all refinished and that has not hurt the price of them much and the cost of a great restoration will not be cheap.

I know this generated a lot of discussion on the S&WCA forum and that TJ is thoughtfully considering all options. I graciously offer to solve the problem by letting him ship it to me.

My suggestion is to clean it well, polish it with Flitz then re-evaluate.

My view, baldly, is that it looks bloody awful and that TJ oughta save up some bucks and give Dave Chicoine a shout.

(And I also think TJ is a fortunate man to own it and have the choice! )

I think that this Registered has "earned it's stipes" and it's history is written all over it.

If it were me, I'd pay homage and respect to it.

A refinish would make it just another reblued gun.

I was once faced with the same dilema with a 4" registered. Micheal Stern passed it on to me when he couldn't make up his mind either. Ultimately we determined it is an FBI Gun and we were both glad we left it alone.

If it were mine this Registered would be lightly cleaned, oiled, researched and treasured for it's unique history that cost it it's finish.

Drew Sr.

If the present condition was the result of it's LE history and that in itself means something in terms of $$, then I guess the best thing to do is leave it alone. I'm going to guess that the unique history of it's present condition is the result of neglect and/or abuse by someone that either forgot about the thing under a wet blanket somewhere, or perhaps it sat unattended after it's last use and handling in a corrosive setting and the results are obvious. Aside from the first senario with supporting documentation etc to show why it looks the way it does and still demand big money, it's a gun that most folks would want to buy for a bargain price for obvious reasons. An excellent restoration would be my pick then. No it won't be cheap. Anything else shouldn't be considered IMHO. No slick-em-up blue jobs. Alot depends on what you have in it, and as 'azmick' says what do you expect to get out of it or want to do with it.
BTW, are the chambers and bore in nice condition? Poor condition there like the outside might make restoration less of a choice.

As Dad says, leave the damn thing alone! I'm guesssing the gun won't be a daily shooter/carry gun. If the gun gets refinished, in 10 years you'll be regretting you did it as you watch all-original regmags climb even higher. The gun has seen hard use and paid its dues. Would you refinish a hard-worn Colt SAA? I think not.

as musch as i like and prefer originallity i have to say in this case.... please dont let it spend the rest of its life looking like Karl Mauldens face.....

Hey! If you Sebago boys have gotcher beer goggles on, it don't count!

I don't pay homage to inanimate objects.

Generally I oppose refinishing except in two circumstances.

1. Gun is so bad something needs to be done.

2. Gun has sentimental value and you want to refinish it even though it means losing money on the deal.

IMO #1 clearly applies here. A good reblue will not reduce the value of that gun as it's so crappy now.

hah! Beer goggles or no, it still doesn;t deserve to be reblued...

going with my earlier analogy, if the gun was a SAA, people would go NUTS with the suggestion of a refinish, even if it was by Doug Turnbull...the RegMags are far less numerable than SAAs, and prices for originals will only go up. I reblued thousands of guns in the 8 years I worked for a gun shop, including a super-rare Winchester 1985 Carbine in .30-40 with ALL THE WOOD, including the upper handguard. The only reason I agreed to do so was on the condition that the owner keep using the gun in the field and the range. Otherwise, the gun deserved to be left in its orginal condition. Same with this RegMag, unless the guy will be using it day in and day out. Leave the gun alone. You'll destroy 75% of the value and 100% of the credibility and dues if you
refinish the gun.

Arlo,

No beer tonight... Hornitos Reposado instead... and that fine distillate only effects my judgement when it comes to Mamacitas!

With that kinda fine pitting Dave would have to use flat files followed by stones to blend them... flats would be really flat and radiased surfaces would be smaller.... I'm not sure how good this one could turn out given it's current conditon....

'Cides... wouldn't you want to know the story behind the Blood Spatter? I sure would....

This old War Horse oughta be able to keep it's dignity in my opinion.....

Drew Sr.

quote:

Originally posted by SaxonPig:
I don't pay homage to inanimate objects.

Does that include a sheepskin good Doctor?

I've done quite a bit of metal finishing/polishing early on in my welding/fabrication career. This would not be an easy job.

That gun doesn't have "honest wear"...it's been seriously neglected. Without the pitting, I'd re-blue or nickel it in a heartbeat...but the apparent pitting would disqualify it from any kind of quality reblue job, in my opinion...unless the person doing it is literally a miracle worker.

It's a damn shame...but I'd say use it as a paperweight or doorstop.

Hi:
I had a .22 Combat Masterpiece that had the same "Finish". The revolver had been kept on a boat (salt water). If it was my weapon I would
re-finish.
Jimmy