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02-02-2021, 11:45 AM
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Model 31-1 Date of manufacture, grip and refurb info
Hello from San Antonio,
I have inherited a Model 31-1 snub from my father in law. He was a USA Track and Field starter. This was the 32 SW[IMG][/IMG] long he used for track meets. This gun was used in two Olympic games and many years at the Texas Relays. I would like to know what year this was made and what grips I need to get it back to the original condition. It has ALOT of use by black powder, so I was interested in having it completely refurbished( maybe Ford's). This is an heirloom, not worried about collectability. So any help with a top smith refurb person would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Last edited by axis1008; 02-02-2021 at 12:16 PM.
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02-02-2021, 12:22 PM
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Late 84 possibly early 85
Grips you want are square butt magnas with SW medallions like these...
Also, if you plan on keeping it I see no reason to have it refurbished as it erases a lot of the nostalgia. If you ever planned on selling it, it would lower the value as well. I'm sure others will agree with me.
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Last edited by GaryHK; 02-02-2021 at 12:27 PM.
Reason: added comment re: refurbishing
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02-02-2021, 12:37 PM
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Clean it up real good,including the bore and inspect it overall....not sure I see a refinish needed??? some grips to suit you and some .32 longs...I have one and its fun to shoot....better pics' would help with condition eval.
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02-02-2021, 12:38 PM
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Thank you for the reply. Wont ever sell. Not sure if this is I frame square or J frame square? Any idea? I really appreciate your reply and thanks!
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02-02-2021, 12:42 PM
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Good question, 31-1 is J
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02-02-2021, 12:46 PM
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Thank you! so J frame square butt magnas is what I need. Really appreciate the help!
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02-02-2021, 12:50 PM
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If you gonna shop.....I put a set of J targets on mine....now that feels sweet to me....better than magnas, especially for the large handed...IMHO
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02-02-2021, 01:20 PM
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Keep it, use it, pass it on down
You definitely have a keeper! Family history makes it even more so. I don't see the need for any refinish at all.
Mine is an H prefix and is October 11, 1975. Bought from a estate it is exactly the way it came from the factory back in 1975.
The 32 Long ammo was available as recent as 6 months ago at "pre-panic" pricing, but these days all LGS shelves are empty of everything handgun ammo wise.
Enjoy yours, it looks to be a very nice piece with some decent providence for its history.
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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570
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02-02-2021, 02:23 PM
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Yours is in much better condition! Thanks for the info!
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02-02-2021, 02:23 PM
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Great idea! I have big hands! Thanks!
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02-02-2021, 02:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by axis1008
Great idea! I have big hands! Thanks!
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Another option is to keep the original magnas on there and get a t-grip. Whatever works best for you.
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02-02-2021, 03:01 PM
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axis1008, you don’t show the bore, but any normal refurbish refinish wouldn’t do anything for it anyway. The exterior surfaces, as shown in the picture suggest some TLC and conservation, not a refinish. A nice set of the proper magna-style grips and I would call the outside good.
As for the bore, while the wood is off of the gun, I would use hot soapy water and a swab on my cleaning rod (30 caliber will work fine and give the bore and chambers a thorough cleaning. You may be pleasantly surprised at how well they clean up, but then again, maybe not. After washing rinse thoroughly in the hottest water possible allow it to air dry , then oil thoroughly.
If the bore is a sewer pipe as we fear, and if it is just too far gone to shoot, you can have the barrel relined or replaced, which won’t harm the value too badly. This and the replacement of the lost grips are the only things I would consider, since it’s family (and Olympic) history we’re dealing with here. While I’m on the subject, it would be a neat idea to assemble as much of the documentation of its use as you can. Event programs, newspaper articles with his name, pictures of him with gun in the air, etc will be priceless to future generations. Put it all together securely in a scrapbook or whatever and your grandchildren will thank you for it.
Green Frog
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