This was given to me by my Uncle and I was very thrilled to find out that it was manufactured between 1878-1892. I wanted to know if it would be worth more as is or restored and where I could possibly fine an original case/box.

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I’d leave it alone: restoring or refinishing would cost hundreds of dollars and result in a gun worth perhaps $50 more than it’s worth as is.

As a long-time collector and dealer, my advice is always this: if it makes the gun better, do it. If it doesn't, leave it alone. With antiques "less is more" - the less you change or fix, the better. Restoring the finish is rarely a good idea unless you can do a professional job. Even then, it may deter from the "period look" of the piece and won't necessarily increase its value. A poor restoration can ruin an otherwise decent antique. I would not refinish it but if the mechanics need fixing I would consider doing that. A gun which does not work is rarely desirable, even if you never actually shoot it. If it's not functional, it's just an expensive paper weight (IMO). As far as the case goes, that's a difficult task. They are hard to come by and may cost you more than the gun is worth.

I honestly don't see this gun needing anything but a very careful oil cleaning of the barrel area....It looks to me like it works from outward appearance. That's all I would do to it. It looks like original grips and original nickel finish that would blend in well with a "CAREFUL" cleaning. That's all it needs... Don't go crazy on it with a wire brush or power tool. Just a gentle cleaning.

Murph

NEVER, I REPEAT, NEVER use a wire brush on a firearm. I would just clean of the rust, and if it works, use it, "CAREFULLY" -- JMHO

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What BMur and J. R. WEEMS said.

This gun has seen better days, but the fit of the side plate looks perfect and I'm guessing that this is the original factory finish. Doing a full nickel re-plating *will* lower the value, regardless of how well it is done.

I would gently use some copper wool on the the rust, and I'd simply oil it and enjoy it as is.

Mike

I agree with the above posts. NO wire brush or steel wool. If it were mine, I would remove the stocks (carefully as they can be brittle) and soak it in Ed's Red (a 50/50 mix of ATF and Acetone) for three days minimum. After the bath then I'd gently scrub with copper or bronze wool (ACE Hardware) to remove the loosened rust. Acetone is very flammable and I use the mixture outdoor with everything sealed in a new one-gallon paint can (Home Depot).

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Mike Maher #283

With the serial number, we can come a lot closer than 14 year span of time. What I see is a family heirloom. Unless something bad has happened to the gun since you received it, the current condition was what your uncle would remember if he is still living and I would not do anything but stop the deterioration of the finish and leave it alone. Lastly, your gun is best known as a 32 Single Action revolver by most collectors. There was a Model 1 1/2, in 32 rimfire, made 20 years earlier and can cause confusion without seeing the gun.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

See attached photo of serial number.

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That's an early one. I'm wagering 1877.

Mike

Yeah it is. That’s a pre- exterior Strain screw. In other words it lacks the exterior screw to adjust the main spring tension And instead has a cam under the grips! I don’t know why but I get stoked when I see one of these early ones! I believe if memory serves? That’s one of 6,000 guns so good for you! That’s a keeper!!

**** Shame on us for not seeing that from jump! The photos he posted clearly show early grips and if you look closely you can see it’s lacking the strain screw. I’m surprised Mike Maher didn’t see that! Shameful!

You know, I took a better look at it on my lap-top and it’s also got the scarcer Longer barrel length. It’s got some value to it with a careful cleaning!

**** Oh, and nobody answered your question about an original box?
There were a couple boxes for these. Since yours is an early gun it would likely be the green box with orange label. But remember that yours has I believe the 3 1/2” barrel? So that box will be harder to find!

Murph

Database shows everything that shipped between 14X (April) to 13,22X (August) shipped in 1878.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

You have received some good advice so far. I will be honest, the gun has very little value as is. Your interest is as a remembrance of your relative, and making a nice looking display as such, if I am correct. "Cleaned" up it has some minimal value. The grip removal and soaking in Ed's Red is a first step. Then the cleaning as indicated above, but to make it have a better appearance you can gently polish up the rusted area's using a very mild abrasive, such as Flitz, SimChrome polish or Mothers Mag Wheel polish. Gently. It will sort of blend the bare metal with the nickel plate and it will look mere presentable.

Finding an appropriate box could be a never ending challenge. You may be lucky, but the odds are one in a million that a cardboard box, now 132 years old will be found, in good enough condition for display, and at a cost far above what the gun is worth. I would recommend what was common which many guns in this period, and make up or modify a nice wood box, with a nice felt/velvet type interior, and possibly with a divider to hold a few cartridges. This could be a fun project.

If it is mechanically O.K. this gun can be shot and cartridges are available, but may have to be ordered as most stores wouldn't be in stock.

Good luck with your project, and when it is done post some pictures.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

"I’m surprised Mike Maher didn’t see that!" I did but the subject of the post was to restore or not.

Yes it is an early piece. From a collectors perspective, it has a desirable feature (features if one includes the barrel length), but the active rust is horrendous. Once the rust issue is controlled it will display nicely and, with the family history, will make a great heirloom.

A pasteboard box for that barrel length will be extremely difficult to find. A wood case is easier but still difficult. I suggest having a shadow box made with enough room for the revolver, a picture of your Uncle and a card or plaque that identifies both items.

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Mike Maher #283

Sorry Mike,
I couldn't resist. I remembered that you are surveying the early guns that lack the strain screw. I try not to miss out on any opportunity to tease.

Here are a couple of photo's of the 1 1/2 boxes. The early "green box" and more common burgundy color box that is later production. Both are for the more common 3" barrel and both are still hard to find. They didn't use to be but I think collectors value them much more than they did before? I don't know. I've never actually seen a 3 1/2" box or I can't remember seeing one. So, that's a long shot for sure. Plus, if found it would cost quite a bit I'm sure.

Murph

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Thanks for the advice. I'll have to refer to YouTube for the cleaning and techniques you've suggested. Mechanically it seems to be OK as I've shot it a few times and my Uncle had quite a few .32 short cartridges so i should be good for a while on ammo. Thanks again.

Thank you Mike. I actually googled and saw some vintage wood boxes but they were included with a S&W pistol.

Thank you BMur

Gary can you elaborate on your post? Thanks.

Looks like S/N 3802 on my machine so I think he needs to re - think his response.