My doc has a No.3 that has messed up lockwork. Can anybody recommend a gunsmith for these old ones? I have David Chicoine's gunsmithing old guns book, but no help.

Chris S Hirsch-----Mr. Google will show you the way (to Texas).

The man is a WIZARD-----and I'm not easy to please!

Ralph Tremaine

I'm guessing that this might be him as the author of a Texas gun book.

[email protected]

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James Redfield
LM #497

Bump.

Any other suggestions?

Give us a better explanation of what you mean by "messed up lockwork." These guns are not rocket science and most often problems are the result of (1) Somebody has put it together incorrectly in the past. A "take a part & assemble correctly exercise" solves that, (2) Old dirt, grime, etc in the action needs to be cleaned out. Soak it tin Brekl Free, Kroil, etc. & blow dry it. (3) a part is broken, like a spring, bolt, hand, etc. Replace broken part & all is well. Ed.

..... and we still would like some more names of pre-1900 S&W-specializing gunsmiths.

As Ed said, what is the problem? Photos would help. It is typically one of three problems. Gunk, incorrect assembly or reassembly as the case may be or broken or missing parts.

None of these issues really require a gunsmith as Ed has said, there are only about a dozen parts total in these old guns.

There are folks here that could probably walk you through a fix if we knew what exactly was wrong.....

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James Redfield
LM #497

You may come to see the light if I share my most recent (and only relevant) experience: I own a NM #3 Target (#3914)---one of those ALL the books will tell you are chambered for either 32-44 S&W or 38-44 S&W----ONLY. This one is chambered for "38 WINCHESTER CTG"----suggesting it's something special------one of not hardly. It's a rather high condition, all numbers matching revolver. At a point in time, I noticed the latch/sight assembly was broken---fractured----close to being in more pieces than any other. Worse yet, some very careful forensic study/thought/contemplation of my navel suggested I was responsible for this disaster---not that it makes any difference. It was still broken.

Step One: Create a fall-back position. This was accomplished by George Dye who produced a complete rather high condition latch/sight assembly----like it was nothing----no big deal. There was one small problem: My new latch sight isn't numbered to my gun. But that aside, I was better off than when I started-----not a happy camper, but no longer panic stricken either.

Next, embark on the mission you're on----find somebody I'm comfortable with to fix it. I found several suspects. They shared one common trait: They thought they could fix it----would like to take a look at it-----would be happy to try. This one common trait did not give me a warm, fuzzy feeling. Then the name Chris Hirsch came up. Aside from what I learned from his web site, I came to learn he does work for David Carroll. THAT made me sit up and take notice!!----even more notice than learning he made the "Kentucky Rifle" presented to Ronald Reagan----made it----didn't assemble a store-bought kit----made it.

Next---and last, see what he had to say about my problem. He said, "I'm sure I can fix it."

Off it went to Texas. Back it came---and the fix was PERFECT---entirely undetectable-----ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS.

Now, if my gun had come to be broken back a few years, I could have called Turner-----or Duffy----or Chicoine---or Hirsch (if I'd known about him). Turner's gone. Duffy's gone. Chicoine's gone (figuratively or literally---don't know).

I certainly understand the desire for options. Sometimes there aren't any. Other times (like now) there may be some, but nobody knows about them.

Ralph Tremaine

Bob Cogan at Home - Accurate Plating & Weaponry | Cogan Custom is a master gunsmith. He doesn't specialize in old S&W guns but has the skill and equipment to do just about anything to restore function. I once had a Colt Frontier Six Shooter that someone had bubba'd the hammer notches. He did a weld buildup and recut the notches with a dental drill. Worked perfectly. Call and talk to him. He'll tell you if he can do the job.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

"Antique Firearms" Assembly / Disassembly by David R Chicoine. The Comprehensive Guide to Pistols, Rifles and Shotguns for around $30-$35 on ebay. One of the best books I have seen on guns from the early 1800 up to the early 1940s. If you have a Pre- World War II Gun, this the book you need.