Very nice! I'm glad you decided to have it done right. I don't know how much it cost, but IMHO however much it was, it was money well spent. You can always earn more money, but finding another 4.5" RM will be much more of a challenge.

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Rick
SWCA #2727 , SWHF #435

Mr. Bowen is top notch. I'm also a couple hours from him and he's done a few mechanical restorations for me. He assembled my 8-3/8" K .327 Magnum on a scrap pre-15 frame. Great work!

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Looks great! Hate to be nosey but how much was the restoration? I have a RM that's in similar condition and would love for it to look as nice as yours. You can pm me if you like, thanks, fellow Tennessean Paul S.

Paul, sent you a PM with some recommendations.

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Blaine
SWCA 3490 SWHF 586

I missed this thread the first time around, and I clicked on it with trepidation, but I have to say bravo. I'm nearly always against re-finishing but you are to be commended on doing it exactly right with a gun that was a real candidate for such a job.

What a beauty now, certainly a gun to envy!

That came out great, beautiful job.

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Keep on Chooglin'

That's alright right thar!!!


.

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"IN GOD WE TRUST"

You and Hamilton have done that revolver proud! In my opinion you have pulled it back from the brink. Congratulations and enjoy. It looks terrific! I hope you are pleased.

I read this thread seeing the large time passage during which Dave Chicoine's business shut down and you switched to Hamilton Bowen for your restoration. I have been hoping to find a restorer to continue the quality work Dave Chicoine has done on a few of my S&Ws and others. Hamilton Bowen could be the one. Could you give contact information for him?

Thanks!

Hamilton Bowen did a remarkable job - congratulations!

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John
S&WCA Life Member

This is his website: + Bowen Classic Arms + Home

He is very careful about choosing new work, if you can talk with him in person it would be worth your while. He is in Louisville TN, which is maybe 25 miles from Knoxville. Remember, I had to talk to him in person with gun in hand and this was before Dave's business shut down. Let us know if you have luck with Hamiliton and his current timeline.

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Blaine
SWCA 3490 SWHF 586

Hamilton Bowen did some subtle wonders with the Side Plate fit there too.

The seam had slightly 'dubbed' edges in the 'before' images, and now it fits crisply.

That is some tedious and fine labor there..!

Came out mighty nice!!

Thank you for taking such good care of this historic wheelgun. Thank you too for sharing with us.

Very nice restoration. I'd be proud to own that RM.
Enjoy!

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Memory of Randy Freas-Rimfired

I appreciate your giving me this information.

Don't worry over the purple cast on the cylinder. It occurs from time to time, even on original finished guns. It is accepted in the collecting community - not something sought out - but accepted none the less.

Great gun and nice restoration.

Charlie

I too missed this thread the first time around. Although Registered Magnums (Magni??) are out of my circle of collecting interest, there is no denying their historical and intrinsic value. It is too easy for some folks to fall into one of two traps, either ignoring old, mistreated guns altogether or simply refinishing them, without regard to their original appearance, etc.

In your case, you have commissioned (and Hamilton Bowen has delivered) a true restoration of a significant firearm. This is not a procedure for the impatient or the dilettante, but for the true lover of fine craftsmanship. I salute you for taking the time and going to the expense of having a world-class restoration done on a worthy gun. Congratulations.

Green Frog

Am I your huckleberry?

Looks to be 3/16 of an inch high.

Attached Images

	001.jpg (72.3 KB, 105 views)
	002.jpg (66.0 KB, 100 views)
	004.jpg (48.4 KB, 85 views)

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

A happy ending, I'd say! That rare barrel length (4-1/2 inches) made the whole project worthwhile.

Turned out great, thanks for showing us the end results.

At first glance you sure look like my huckleberry, will check height tomorrow...

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Blaine
SWCA 3490 SWHF 586

The white dot that is on it is 1/4" height, looks a tad proud. Your sheard is most likely correct for it. Your terms handejector?

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Blaine
SWCA 3490 SWHF 586

An incredible project with an outstanding outcome. Well done.

so... in the 4 years since orig post, the 1940 census has been made available, and I see:

1940 US Census
Name: Cecil Gardner
Age: 44
Estimated birth year: abt 1896
Birthplace: Wisconsin
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Elkhorn, Walworth, Wisconsin
Inferred Residence in 1935: Elkhorn, Walworth, Wisconsin
Occupation: Dep Sheriff

Household Members:
Name Age
Cecil Gardner 44
Ella Gardner 42
Wayne Gardner 19
Shirley Jean Gardner 13
Herman Gardner 70

following thru, he appears to have passed in 1953..
he also shows in 1930 census as a policeman living in Genoa City, Wisconsin

Thanks for the update Blazermark, I wonder if any of Cecil Gardner's descendants are Smith enthusiasts that will ever see this forum?

bwade

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Blaine
SWCA 3490 SWHF 586

More on Cecil

Attached Files

	clipping_3808067.pdf (315.8 KB, 85 views)
	clipping_3808102.pdf (187.8 KB, 57 views)

December 1941 must have been a sad time in the Gardner home. His son died on Christmas eve, and only slightly over two weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Congratulations on the restoration.

Bob

Awesome!! It is really great when you can identify the original owner and it has police history also. This one is the complete package!!!