|
|
06-20-2017, 12:15 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 11,065
Liked 12,075 Times in 1,920 Posts
|
|
Pawn Shop Rescue--My First Model 1
Last week while wishing I was on the way to N.C. for the symposium, I decided to make the rounds of nearby pawn shops. I stopped at one shop that I almost never hit as they seldom have more than a couple of guns. (Checking for vintage guitar amps). I glanced over the counter, and one of the gals asked me if she could show me anything. I replied that I was checking for old Smith & Wessons. To which she replied that they had an old one. Imagine my surprise when she pulled out a cigar humidor that had been customized into a display case contaning this Model 1. Fortunately, at the Baton Rouge Symposium I had held a Model 1 for the first time and recognized what this was. Just couldn't leave it behind.
SN is 768xx
So far, I have done nothing to this one. The grip ferrule on the right stock turns preventing me from removing the grips. The ferrule on the left panel seems to be missing. She tries to index and has a very weak lockup. Any direction would be appreciated.
__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd
|
The Following 9 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-20-2017, 12:35 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: VA & SoFL
Posts: 8,644
Likes: 469
Liked 5,697 Times in 3,186 Posts
|
|
Hello quinn, nice little 7 shot. About average shape and a nice representative piece of S&W history. Im a sucker for some nice silver on the receiver. Best
__________________
Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-20-2017, 01:27 PM
|
Absent Comrade US Veteran SWCA Founding Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: San Diego, CA. USA
Posts: 10,536
Likes: 3,529
Liked 6,883 Times in 2,796 Posts
|
|
You can hold the ferule still with a small diameter center punch while unscrewing the grip screw. Put a drop of Oil on the opposite side of the screw first. There's probably a bunch of old grease, dried oil and various critter cadavers inside the action. Remove the side plate, soak the action with Kroil or some other lubricant for a couple days, then carefully blow out the residue. The springs are probably very weak from old age and over use, but a good cleaning will improve the action & lock up. If not, start looking for a source of replacement springs. Ed.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-20-2017, 01:30 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 787
Likes: 698
Liked 600 Times in 239 Posts
|
|
Sorry, I cannot offer any advice on the lockup problem. It sounds like the spring in the top mounted cylinder stop assembly is fatigued/broken. Certainly someone will be along who is an expert on these antiques.
Like you, I was unable to attend the Charlotte Symposium and managed to find my first Model 1 (2nd issue). The barrel latch was frozen, but a few days in Break Free and it now slides as it should. And the cylinder stop seems to have the same problem that yours has.
I wasn't lucky enough to get a neat display cigar box and flag, however!
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
06-20-2017, 03:01 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: AL Wiregrass
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 34,562
Liked 10,739 Times in 3,659 Posts
|
|
Looks like we did a good "enabling" job on you in Concord, Randy!
__________________
Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-21-2017, 04:31 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Columbus Ohio
Posts: 702
Likes: 386
Liked 1,189 Times in 467 Posts
|
|
great find, I really like that....
I too have been searching my local pawn shops
In search of any type of S&W & Beretta firearms.
Today, I found a 'used" but not beat up 442.
it had a price tag of $389 (LOL, I know)
I offered the guy $185 (cash), best and final , "I don't have time to haggle".
he told me that $345 is the best that he would do.
without saying a word , I took out my phone and showed him an ad from my LGS , for the exact same gun @ $349.99 , brand spankin' new.
he said that he would go down to $300 , I once again went w $185. needless to say, I still dont have a 442, but I did enjoy the hunt!
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
06-23-2017, 04:55 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 11,065
Liked 12,075 Times in 1,920 Posts
|
|
I have been reading 2 of Roy Jinks' books on the Model 1. Both of these books were written a few years ago. In them he says that little information on serial numbers and production dates exists. I understand that my gun is the 2nd variation and by guesstimate, was probably produced in 1865. In the intervening years since publication... has any additional info become available on production, shipments, or such? Thanks.
__________________
Randy
Provenance nerd
|
06-24-2017, 08:08 AM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Michigan Western UP
Posts: 12,916
Likes: 3,028
Liked 14,263 Times in 5,435 Posts
|
|
I see some different terminology is being used in this thread? The "ferrules" in the stock are escutcheons and the 2nd "variation" is called 2nd Issue. Roy's two most popular books were written more than a few years ago: History of Smith & Wesson was written 40 years ago, while Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 was first released 51 years ago. How time flies.
There is a flat spring (9t) in the top of the frame that controls the top-mounted cylinder stop and may either be rusted, bound up by old oil and debris or broken. Take the stocks off and spray Choke & Carb cleaner up inside the cylinder stop while holding it up. Let is set and re-apply. That should clean out any dried oils, but not rust. If cleaning does not help, you can remove the stop by driving out the little pins in the top frame. These are small guns with small parts and somewhat delicate, so take your time and make sure you have the proper tools to do the job. Good luck.
__________________
Gary
SWCA 2515
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|