Rescued a scratched up old Chief’s Special from the LGS today

bgrafsr · #51 08-07-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by model3sw

You did very well ! (but those Fitz Ten-Os, have to go ... fast !)

The format of the engraving seems to leave just the perfect amount of space for a set of factory magna stocks. Search for a pristine set of factory stocks with the diamond shape around the grip screw escutcheons.

Or a set of Keith Brown stocks.

tlawler · #52 08-07-2018, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2152hq

I don't recognize the 'mark'. It certainly looks like an engravers logo or signiture mark.

I'd contact Roger Bleile at the Firearms Engravers Guild (FEGA)

He's their historian and they have a very in depth collection of material on engravers both famous and obscure including 'signitures'.
He may have something on it.

Include ALL the pics you have to help ID the scroll style and the firearm as well (period of mfg, ect sometimes helps)

FEGA-Historian:
C. Roger Bleile
Historical database.
[email protected]

Thank you for the contact. I have emailed Roger to inquire about the engraving. I will post any information he can give me on it.

tlawler · #53 08-07-2018, 02:41 PM

I found these “bonded ivory”(I’m guessing that’s a fancy name for plastic faux ivory) grips on ebay. I think they’d look pretty good and set off the engraving nicely. What do you guys think?

two-bit cowboy · #54 08-07-2018, 04:37 PM

Stick with the magnas. Maybe a Tyler T.

Faux ivory on that Chiefs? Lipstick on a swine? The same? Maybe.

My two bits.

tlawler · #55 08-07-2018, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

Faux ivory on that Chiefs? Lipstick on a swine? The same? Maybe.

My two bits.

I see your point. I’d really like to find a nice set of Sambar stags for it, but haven’t found any for a J frame. Plenty for K and N frames and tons for 1911s.

jringo8769 · #56 08-08-2018, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlawler

Great idea on the ancestry.com...I found a Melville D. Bailey in the 1940 census who was 40 years old at the time and resided
in Illinois. Other documents show his date of death as 1966, so that might be him. I haven’t been on the site since my wife and I did our DNA last year, so I’m not that good at navigating it and only paid for the testing so far, not full use of the site.

Hey might be a good idea to see if his wife is still alive...maybe she can tell u about it and maybe even has some of the missing original box and grips...i love the original grips but if u decide on something else....spend the funds and do it right....it is so worth it and u bought it right...don't skimp or it will won't look right

Sent from my LGL41C using Tapatalk

rwsmith · #57 08-08-2018, 02:52 AM

...when somebody 'scratches up' a perfectly good firearm on purpose. I'm not always a fan of engraving but that is super tasteful. I was expecting to see a REALLY scratched up 36 but to me it would have been a good gun as long as it's in mechanically good shooting shape. I'm not big on collecting. Not that it's bad, I just can't afford it so I enjoy my shooters.

jframejoey · #58 08-08-2018, 06:03 AM

Tlawler, great find. Stags for sure on that girl in the future. I think those are Fitz Gunfighters not Ten O Grips. Very comfy have em on a 60 no dash.

tlawler · #59 08-08-2018, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jframejoey

Tlawler, great find. Stags for sure on that girl in the future. I think those are Fitz Gunfighters not Ten O Grips. Very comfy have em on a 60 no dash.

I PMed Bigmtnman to see if he could help me out in that respect. He makes some truly spectacular stags and sells them on here. I’m hoping he has a set for a J lying around, or is getting ready to make some.(fingers crossed)

Wiregrassguy · #60 08-08-2018, 02:10 PM

Ahoy, shipmate! He has 2 pairs of J round butts on Gunbroker right now. Just search on his alias you posted. They are no bark and would look better, IMO, than those fake ones you posted earlier. If you ask him, I'm sure he would "age" a pair for you if you like that look.

dcopper · #61 08-08-2018, 02:28 PM

That beauty is begging for a set of CULINA MAGNAS in light Birds eye Maple!

tlawler · #62 08-08-2018, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

Ahoy, shipmate! He has 2 pairs of J round butts on Gunbroker right now. Just search on his alias you posted. They are no bark and would look better, IMO, than those fake ones you posted earlier. If you ask him, I'm sure he would "age" a pair for you if you like that look.

Thanks for the heads up. I didn’t realize he sold them on GB. I had seen several of his grips in the classified section here and thought he only sold here. Of the two sets he has on there, I think I like the “veinier” ones...not sure that’s even a word, but the ones with darker lines on them. I think the whiter ones look better on nickel and stainless. What is your opinion on that? And what do the rest of you guys think?

Wiregrassguy · #63 08-08-2018, 05:59 PM

I like them all. I have one set of Ken's that are no barks but have some of the pulp color coming through. And I have several sets of executioner Stags. I like some bark with my blue guns and no bark on my nickels.

Hey , buy both sets and just switch them out every other week.

Guy

tlawler · #64 08-08-2018, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiregrassguy

I like some bark with my blue guns and no bark on my nickels.

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. I went ahead and ordered the ones with a little pulp showing through. I’ll post some more pics with the new stocks once I get them installed.

tlawler · #65 08-09-2018, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2152hq

I don't recognize the 'mark'. It certainly looks like an engravers logo or signiture mark.

I'd contact Roger Bleile at the Firearms Engravers Guild (FEGA)

He's their historian and they have a very in depth collection of material on engravers both famous and obscure including 'signitures'.
He may have something on it.

Include ALL the pics you have to help ID the scroll style and the firearm as well (period of mfg, ect sometimes helps)

FEGA-Historian:
C. Roger Bleile
Historical database.
[email protected]

Mr. Bleile replied back to my email:

Mr. Lawler,

I have examined the pictures you sent and, while the style of scrollwork is somewhat unusual, it is not the work of anyone that I have ever encountered in the past. The oak leaf with the letters NoNo within is undoubtedly the engraver's mark but is one that I have not previously encountered. I will save the pictures for my archive and if the engraver's name comes to light in the future, I will contact you.

Regards,

C. Roger Bleile
FEGA Historian

raljr1 · #66 08-09-2018, 04:57 PM

There was a Melvin D. Bailey who was born in 1918, died 1990. Cpl in WWII. Lived and died in Texas.

Robert

tlawler · #67 08-09-2018, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raljr1

There was a Melvin D. Bailey who was born in 1918, died 1990. Cpl in WWII. Lived and died in Texas.

Robert

I’m not sure Melvin and Melville are forms of the same name; Melville being a somewhat more obscure etymology. Loyaljeeper found a Melville D. Bailey who would have been born at the turn of the century, which coincided with a resurgence in the popularity of the works of Herman Melville. It was quite common to name a child after a favorite author or historical figure of the time. The time frame in which the revolver was produced and was purchased would have coincided with the approximate time of Mr. Bailey’s retirement and it could have been a retirement present as noted by Geoff(sceptic9c). I’m going to letter it and see which way that takes me.

Barrie · #68 08-09-2018, 10:49 PM

Yes you do need to get the letter from Roy Jinks as this is not your everyday revolver at all. For the level of engraving to be done there had to be a special reason why it received this treatment. That would haunt me until I found out WHY?

pomonapete · #69 08-10-2018, 03:14 AM

my square-butt 3" bull-barrel 36-1 likes your fancy black acquisition but worries about the voodoo curse of Melville D. Bailey...

...it seems Melville hopped a tramp steamer out of Haiti and dove off near Florida, went ashore, and prospered in the Florida land boom of 1924-5. he bought himself the item you hold, had it engraved, and the sky darkened and the hurricane of 1926 struck at that very moment...

...nothing more was heard until the next year when the drying 1927 Mississippi River flood revealed the piece (it is speculated that the erosion of the floodwaters caused the cylinder release latch to wear flat at this time)...

...it was mailed to Oklahoma just before the Dust Bowl...a decade later someone sent it to Erwin Rommel just before the end of his North Africa campaign...where it disappeared until archeologists uncovered it and were able to decipher: Melville D. Bailey is arabic for 'Allahu Akbar!'

that's about it, except to remind you the curse says anyone looking down the barrel of the Melville D. Bailey will be cursed to go forth living the days of his life, day after day, until he dies.

hope this was helpful.

OLDSTER · #70 08-10-2018, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlawler

I see your point. I’d really like to find a nice set of Sambar stags for it, but haven’t found any for a J frame. Plenty for K and N frames and tons for 1911s.

Here you go; this is my 1954 vintage I referred to in post # 31

tlawler · #71 08-10-2018, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDSTER

Here you go; this is my 1954 vintage I referred to in post # 31

Very nice. Thank you for sharing.

Bakebfr480 · #72 08-10-2018, 08:35 AM

Very nice! Was it factory engraved?

tlawler · #73 08-10-2018, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bakebfr480

Very nice! Was it factory engraved?

To be determined...I’m sending for a factory letter on it. See post #65.

two-bit cowboy · #74 08-10-2018, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDSTER

Here you go; this is my 1954 vintage I referred to in post # 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDSTER

I have a 59XXX sn, and your 1954/1955 date is correct.

My list shows five Chiefs from 579XX through 594XX shipping in April '55.

OLDSTER · #75 08-10-2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by two-bit cowboy

My list shows five Chiefs from 579XX through 594XX shipping in April '55.

Thanks for the info. Mine would then be '55, not '54

tlawler · #76 08-10-2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pomonapete

my square-butt 3" bull-barrel 36-1 likes your fancy black acquisition but worries about the voodoo curse of Melville D. Bailey...

...it seems Melville hopped a tramp steamer out of Haiti and dove off near Florida, went ashore, and prospered in the Florida land boom of 1924-5. he bought himself the item you hold, had it engraved, and the sky darkened and the hurricane of 1926 struck at that very moment...

...nothing more was heard until the next year when the drying 1927 Mississippi River flood revealed the piece (it is speculated that the erosion of the floodwaters caused the cylinder release latch to wear flat at this time)...

...it was mailed to Oklahoma just before the Dust Bowl...a decade later someone sent it to Erwin Rommel just before the end of his North Africa campaign...where it disappeared until archeologists uncovered it and were able to decipher: Melville D. Bailey is arabic for 'Allahu Akbar!'

that's about it, except to remind you the curse says anyone looking down the barrel of the Melville D. Bailey will be cursed to go forth living the days of his life, day after day, until he dies.

hope this was helpful.

I missed this earlier and just read it. That's hilarious!

2152hq · #77 08-10-2018, 09:46 PM

I don't know if this one has been noted above or if it is even in the right era/age group. I think it may be:

"....Here is an alphabetical list of account-
ing department men now actually in the
service and their locations as last reported.
Pick out the men you know and write
them. A soldier is always happy to hear
from friends at home:

Melville D. Bailey, Company D, 410th Tel.
Battalion, Ft. Leavenworth, Kans.
....."

Mr Baileys name is the very first one on the list as it is alphabetical.

The listing as an employee of the Illinois Bell Co. at that time serving in the US Army.
I believe the News Letter/Magazine from the Company is from 1917,
It's quite a long read, but with some interesting storys and notes about the War at the time both the Overseas and the Home Front.
Full text of "Illinois Bell magazine"

The 'list' of employees serving is down just less than 1/4 way into the document. No other info given on him.
No other mention of him that I could find in there doing a 'control/F' function and the name Bailey. That's about as much computer knowledge I have.

I would guess and a guess only, that Mr Bailey would have been an 18 to early 20s y/o at the time.
So by the mid 1950's,,55 to near 60 y/o. Just about right for the revolver I'd think.

If it is him, at least a former employee and vocation (Illinois Bell, accounting dept) and a US Armed services record to search for.

And then again,,maybe it ain't him at all.

tlawler · #78 08-11-2018, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2152hq

I don't know if this one has been noted above or if it is even in the right era/age group. I think it may be:

"....Here is an alphabetical list of account-
ing department men now actually in the
service and their locations as last reported.
Pick out the men you know and write
them. A soldier is always happy to hear
from friends at home:

Melville D. Bailey, Company D, 410th Tel.
Battalion, Ft. Leavenworth, Kans.
....."

Mr Baileys name is the very first one on the list as it is alphabetical.

The listing as an employee of the Illinois Bell Co. at that time serving in the US Army.
I believe the News Letter/Magazine from the Company is from 1917,
It's quite a long read, but with some interesting storys and notes about the War at the time both the Overseas and the Home Front.
Full text of "Illinois Bell magazine"

The 'list' of employees serving is down just less than 1/4 way into the document. No other info given on him.
No other mention of him that I could find in there doing a 'control/F' function and the name Bailey. That's about as much computer knowledge I have.

I would guess and a guess only, that Mr Bailey would have been an 18 to early 20s y/o at the time.
So by the mid 1950's,,55 to near 60 y/o. Just about right for the revolver I'd think.

If it is him, at least a former employee and vocation (Illinois Bell, accounting dept) and a US Armed services record to search for.

And then again,,maybe it ain't him at all.

That’s the same Melville on the 1940 census. I feel it probably is him. Thank God he has a name like that and not John Smith. Can’t be too many Melvilles out there.

ABPOS · #79 08-11-2018, 10:51 AM

I'm not sure why but I am a fan of white grips in general. Stags are nice.

2152hq · #80 08-11-2018, 02:59 PM

Maybe something on Melville D Baileys Military or perhaps a Draft record from WW1 exists that shows his signiture.
That could be compared to the engraved signiture of his (I assume to be) on the trigger guard.
I realize one from a Military of Draft record would be from the gents late teens or early 20's age time,,the facsimile (if correct) done from one while he was in his late 50's or 60's. So differences expected, but there are usually some things that stay the same or nearly so to ID a signiture unless infirmitys or injury come in to play.

World War I Records at the National Archives at St. Louis | National Archives

This other copy of the 'Bell News' is just the hard copy of the PDF file from the above post. Some pics in it and a little easier to read.
Actually a couple or 3 of the monthly copys.
Bell Telephone News - Google Books
(It might have book marked the Melville D Bailey listing)

*** I also in re-reading it, noticed the following;

"....but the accounting department of
the Central Group has up to date furnished
the United States army and navy with
twenty-nine good men and true..."

So add to the story that Mr Bailey was employed by Ma Bell in the 'Central Group' at the time.
That would have been Chicago, Il. according to another quick search.
Probably a resident of Chicago or the immediate area.

That might help break it down in a search of draft/military records something I can't seem to get in to. Maybe you need a code or something to get into the Natl Archives.(?).
That's all I got.

tlawler · #81 08-13-2018, 05:51 PM

The grips I ordered from Ken came in today. Here they are on her:

OLDSTER · #82 08-13-2018, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlawler

The grips I ordered from Ken came in today. Here they are on her:

Stunning ! What a treasure you've got there.

If that beauty was mine, I have to admit I wouldn't shoot it; just fondle it, admire it, and show it off.

les.b · #83 08-13-2018, 08:23 PM

Very nice!! I think you chose well with those grips!! What a beautiful gun.

Thanks for sharing with us!!

Best Reagrds, Les

ABPOS · #84 08-13-2018, 08:43 PM

Those go perfect with it!!

BC38 · #85 08-13-2018, 11:29 PM

Those are JUST the ticket for that beauty.
VERY nice combination.
Now, just find yourself a really nice floral carved holster to carry it in.
THAT is a BBQ gun if ever there was one.

amazingflapjack · #86 08-14-2018, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Mac

If I owned that revolver, I'd have to know who Melville D. Bailey was! How did the store come about owning the gun? Maybe they can help?

There's definitely some stuff on the net under that name...

two-bit cowboy · #87 08-14-2018, 07:31 AM

Ah, much better.

Congrats.