Almost wish it was original. 3” 686

[lowriderfxr]

I had a good friend pass. I bought several guns from his estate. I almost left this one because I was a little disappointed that someone had greatly customized a 3" 686-4. The action is like butter , the sights have been changed to a gold dot and rounded at the rear for carry. The hammer and trigger have been reshaped and polished. I added the custom grips. It's a very nice custom job , but it's done on a pretty desirable , scarce gun. Eventually I decided I wanted it to remind me of my friend. When I tried to buy it , the family gifted it to me for my help in moving and evaluating the value of the guns in the estate. It will be the task of my son to sell this one when I'm gone.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Beautiful piece. What are the grips made of?

 

[steelslaver]

Looks like rams horn grips.

Nice gun that should be left as your buddy wanted it.

 

[lowriderfxr]

Looks like rams horn grips.

Nice gun that should be left as your buddy wanted it.

It will certainly be left the way my buddy wanted it. ( except for the grips of course. )
I never considered altering it. I was only initially a little disappointed that it wasn't original because of the value. It will always remain like it is now.

 

[chief38]

When my Dad passed 15 years ago I inherited his Chief's Special (pre model number) which is an I/J frame from 1952 I believe. He modified the front sight (in a professional way I might add) but it cam never be restored to like factory ever again. He did this because after retiring from his job he carried it every day and always used it as his back-up while working. He was on his Agency's Shooting Team and always participated in BUG matches too so it was important his BUG was POA=POI.

Even though what my Dad did to the sights is not my cup of tea, I would not ever change or put a new front sight on because it was his gun, his mod and that means more to me that how it looks. Your new gun was your Buddy's and it will forever remind you of him.

Yes - the grips are very nice too.

 

[Baxter6551]

Awesome gun with beautiful grips. As others said your friend would want you to have it and kudos to the family for their gift to you. I wouldn't worry about the modifications. In my opinion they improved it. My 66-1 and 686-4 snubs have been done over in similar fashion with bead blast finish. They were both in rough shape when I got them.

 

[T44spl]

How fortunate that you were chosen to be the next caretaker of this fine gun, and how great a tribute to your friendship that you chose to respect him and maintain the gun the way he left it.
After the gun passes to your son Hopefully it goes on to his grandchildren or the grandchildren of your friend, the original owner.
Btw, magnificent set of grips, that 3" barrel on a 686 reminds me of a Ladysmith on Steroids just elegant

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... I was a little disappointed that someone had greatly customized a 3" 686-4.

It's a very nice custom job , but it's done on a pretty desirable , scarce gun.

Did anyone know in 1993 that it would be a desirable or scare gun?

 

[MajorD]

When my Dad passed 15 years ago I inherited his Chief's Special (pre model number) which is an I/J frame from 1952 I believe. He modified the front sight (in a professional way I might add) but it cam never be restored to like factory ever again. He did this because after retiring from his job he carried it every day and always used it as his back-up while working. He was on his Agency's Shooting Team and always participated in BUG matches too so it was important his BUG was POA=POI.

Even though what my Dad did to the sights is not my cup of tea, I would not ever change or put a new front sight on because it was his gun, his mod and that means more to me that how it looks. Your new gun was your Buddy's and it will forever remind you of him.

Yes - the grips are very nice too.

Nice 686 and respectfully customized

Regarding the 36 mentioned above, how about a picture?

 

[rvolvr]

Beautiful piece. What are the grips made of?

I see lemon meringue pie!

 

[DETROIT]

Any markings that might indicate who did the work?