I inherited my granddads old nickeled .38 Special tonight. It's what became a model 10. Nickel plated (somewhat), 5-screw frame, very pitted 4-inch pinned pencil barrel, old (original?) wood grips. The problem is that it was stored in a leather holster for a very long time. Lots of pitting on the frame - not too deep. A little loose in the cylinder, but everything still works. I've taken the grips off and tried rubbing the bad areas down a bit. I oiled everything up (grips still off) and stored it (temporarily). Oh yeah, inside the grips are the initials of some previous owner and the date 10-18-24.
My question is just how bad can a revolver get before it is completely unsalvagable? I know the barrel is hopeless (I'm sure another could be found and fitted). I'd be willing to go the distance if this thing could be cleaned up and blued or re-nickeled.
I know pictures would help (maybe I can get some up later), but I'm just wondering what sort of things are possible and what things are deal-breakers.
Thoughts, anyone??

I guess the first question should be how much do you want to spend?? What you have is a very common revolver in bad condition. My advice would be to clean it and prevent it from deteriorating any further. For what you would spend doing the restoration that you propose, you could buy a pretty nice example of the same gun.

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Gary Grace
S&WCA #1837

Does this thing have a serial number ? With that, we could offer more
intelligent comments about the gun. Otherwise, we have no idea
what it is. Some guns are more worthwhile restoring than others.

Later, Mike Priwer

If it's a basic 1905 Military & Police (They made over a million by the end of WW2), it sounds like maybe a $100 gun (or less) right now in that condition. If you put $300-400 more into it, you would have a refinished $200 gun. Unless it really means a lot to you, it's best left as-is.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

By the time you get through paying for a restoration, you will have spent enough to get a new gun. I'd look towards cleaning it up, preserving it, and keeping it as a memento, myself.

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Pisgah

The first concern is the mechanical condition. It is not worth the effort unless you first get it to good safe shooting condition (you mentioned a loose cylinder). That can be expensive, very expensive ($200-300), a refinish add $270-300+), refinish the grips $150+. and as mentioned, net worth will be $200. If it is a family heirloom, than a photo of the family member that owned the gun and placed in a shadowbox as a piece of history for all to see. Old guns that are used up are my favoriate displace items in my gun room, particularly like those from the late 1800's and early 20th centry. Old photos of lawmen, soldiers, etc. Whatever you do enjoy the experience.