1938 S&W Heavy Duty

[ussmanlovede36]

Here is my Heavy Duty from 1938. All original except for the grips. I'm working on removing the red rust Iron Oxide. It is one tough crust. I am using oil, brass brush, copper wool and some 0000 steel wool. I am making some http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=642281&stc=1&d=1692645849head way.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=642282&stc=1&d=1692646177. another pic.

 

[Truckman]

Mmmmm...Daddy like......Ben

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Let me hep ya out

 

[gmborkovic]

I cringe when I hear OOOO Steel wool.

 

[quinn]

Mix a batch of ATF (non synthetic) and acetone and soak for a few days. Cover so the acetone doesn't evaporate. You can also use minieral spirtis instead of acetone... just works slower. Take the frips off first.

Great gun tho...

 

[Modified]

I haven't slept in a while because kids, but do those grips look like they started life as post war magnas and were converted to service style?

The checkering area looks distinctly post war to me, but I don't think post war service style were made?

 

[Truckman]

I haven't slept in a while because kids, but do those grips look like they started life as post war magnas and were converted to service style?

The checkering area looks distinctly post war to me, but I don't think post war service style were made?

As the years roll on, the things I don't see begin to outnumber the things I do see...I believe you're right......Ben

 

[DCWilson]

I haven't slept in a while because kids, but do those grips look like they started life as post war magnas and were converted to service style?

The checkering area looks distinctly post war to me, but I don't think post war service style were made?

Yes. And you can still see the shadow line on the sideplate where the edge of the the entire cheek piece left proof of its former presence.

 

[Vtgw938]

I bet it is still tight. Cursory look makes me think it was abused but not shot a lot. There all good.

 

[austintexas]

On really bad rust I've used a copper penny (real copper, not one of the new pennys) to remove stubborn rust, works pretty good especially after a good soak.
SWCA 892

 

[ussmanlovede36]

I haven't slept in a while because kids, but do those grips look like they started life as post war magnas and were converted to service style?

The checkering area looks distinctly post war to me, but I don't think post war service style were made?

I think the grips are service grips because of the location of the medallions. They are not numbered to this HD. I'm getting a set of post war magna's because pre war cost near what I paid for this HD. For $550.00 I bought it. I don't want to spend another $500 for pre-war Magna's.

 

[ussmanlovede36]

I bet it is still tight. Cursory look makes me think it was abused but not shot a lot. There all good.

The action is perfect and the bore and chambers are clean and free of rust and pits. So, it was cleaned on the inside and the outside not so much. Maybe this S&W spent a good deal of time in the humid south. The gun shop I bought it from is located in NC. Rember people back in 1938 viewed guns simply as tools. Clean the bore and chambers and put it back in the holster. I think a factory letter is in order.

 

[Modified]

I think the grips are service grips because of the location of the medallions. They are not numbered to this HD. I'm getting a set of post war magna's because pre war cost near what I paid for this HD. For $550.00 I bought it. I don't want to spend another $500 for pre-war Magna's.

So I had a sleep, looked again.

You technically already have a set of post war magnas there, someone just removed the horn.

Have a look at the checkering pattern/coverage, and compare to the pictures in this finest of posts on the forum here:

Smith & Wesson N Frame Stocks / Grips - A Reference Guide

 

[Wiregrassguy]

First thing I noticed was the rounded gutter corners...post-war...

 

[ussmanlovede36]

First thing I noticed was the rounded gutter corners...post-war...

I think you are right. These service grips are about an 8th of an inch short on the grip frame. Post war I'm thinking. I have put-on post-war Magna's that I received today, and they are 8th of an inch short but look much better. Will