Tell me about your Frankenstein revolver.

Goodtime Charlie · #1 07-31-2009, 11:25 PM

I remember reading stories about a guy who would build his S&W revolvers the way he wanted them, by swapping barrels and triggers on his revolvers (I think it was Skeeter Skelton). There are likely a few tinkerers on here that have done such work. Considering the wide variety of S&W revolvers manufactured, I'm curious what combination you have put together because S&W just didn't make it like you wanted. Photos are of course, very welcome!

Evil Dog · #2 07-31-2009, 11:30 PM

Think he used to do that with Colt Single Actions too... or was that Elmer Keith?

Erich · #3 07-31-2009, 11:35 PM

Ha! Great topic idea!

This Model 36 was blue when I ordered it from a very trustworthy dealer on GB. The guy had been thinking about keeping it for his own, actually. It seemed mechanically fine, and how often is a revolver messed up?

Well, this one had been "worked on," and it wouldn't set off primers. Fine, I had a bunch of parts from a nickel 38-2 at home. I took the Chiefs home and changed out the mainspring, and then drove the 35 miles back to the range. Nope. Turns out that somehow the headspace was hosed, too, so I drove back home and changed out the cylinder. And the action had been really worked over, so it just wasn't reliable with the hammer that was in it. Wound up having to change that out for the weird humpback Bodyguard hammer. At this point, I just went ahead and changed out the cylinder release (I'd probably change the barrel, too, just to make it look more like a Pinto, if it weren't such a hassle).

Anyway, that's my story.

Nice little gun, though. And I don't mind carrying it - concealed!

mod34 · #4 07-31-2009, 11:40 PM

I love the idea of a BG hammer on a Chiefs Special. Neat idea!

Vulcan Bob · #5 07-31-2009, 11:41 PM

My Frankenstein is not a revolver it's a Colt Combat Govrenment model. I could not afford a full house IPSC gun when I started out and it got put together a little at a time from parts from here and there as I could afford it! I sorta regret useing that one now as they are a bit scarce these days.

Glock 'em down · #6 07-31-2009, 11:47 PM

That hammer is so freaky looking!

heh, heh, heh...I LIKE IT!!!

Evil Dog · #7 07-31-2009, 11:50 PM

One strange looking hammer indeed.... I can see why you like to carry it concealed !!!

David LaPell · #8 08-01-2009, 12:00 AM

This 624 is my honorary Mountain Gun. I hd Bowen Arms chamfer the cylinder, and I replaced the front sight.

This was my old Mountain Gun, a 25-13 in .45 Colt that I replaced the front sight on, added some grips, did a trigger job. The grip frame was never too much to my liking, and my 624 could outshoot it, so I sold it.

The last is my OM Ruger Blackhawk in .41 Magnum that was pretty worn when I got it. So far, replaced the grip frame, ejector rod, the housing with a steel one, and have since filed down the front sight into a post (might have a taller one added, not sure yet), and also did an action job. Still a work in progress. Loves 210 grain cast bullets with 8.1 grains of Unique.

Grayfox · #9 08-01-2009, 12:06 AM

The frame came from a Model 28-2
The barrel from a Model 25-2
The cylinder from a Model 25-5
Hammer, trigger, internals, etc from a variety of sources.
Rear sight from Cylinder & Slide

Did all the work myself.

3 1/4" .45 Colt Snubbie

Goodtime Charlie · #10 08-01-2009, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erich

Ha! Great topic idea!

This Model 36 was blue when I ordered it from a very trustworthy dealer on GB. The guy had been thinking about keeping it for his own, actually. It seemed mechanically fine, and how often is a revolver messed up?

Well, this one had been "worked on," and it wouldn't set off primers. Fine, I had a bunch of parts from a nickel 38-2 at home. I took the Chiefs home and changed out the mainspring, and then drove the 35 miles back to the range. Nope. Turns out that somehow the headspace was hosed, too, so I drove back home and changed out the cylinder. And the action had been really worked over, so it just wasn't reliable with the hammer that was in it. Wound up having to change that out for the weird humpback Bodyguard hammer. At this point, I just went ahead and changed out the cylinder release (I'd probably change the barrel, too, just to make it look more like a Pinto, if it weren't such a hassle).

Anyway, that's my story.

Nice little gun, though. And I don't mind carrying it - concealed!

It's...ALIVE!

Excellent! This is exactly the type of thing I was wanting to see! I gotta say, it looks kinda cool with that Bodyguard hammer, maybe you will set a style trend, eh?

I think it looks perfect the way it is, I would leave the barrel exactly the way it is!

Goodtime Charlie · #11 08-01-2009, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayfox

The frame came from a Model 28-2
The barrel from a Model 25-2
The cylinder from a Model 25-5
Hammer, trigger, internals, etc from a variety of sources.
Rear sight from Cylinder & Slide

Did all the work myself.

3 1/4" .45 Colt Snubbie

Grayfox:

Yep, that is the type of thing that I used to read about. I think it was Skeeter that would pick up an old junk gun or two (or three, or four

) from somewhere, and cannibalize them for the good parts and put them together to make what he wanted. Good job! I think Skeeter would approve of your gun.

Crazy K38 · #12 08-01-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grayfox

The frame came from a Model 28-2
The barrel from a Model 25-2
The cylinder from a Model 25-5
Hammer, trigger, internals, etc from a variety of sources.
Rear sight from Cylinder & Slide

Did all the work myself.

3 1/4" .45 Colt Snubbie

you know I bet that sucker would look great with a gold bead front sight, GREAT looking gun nonetheless

Erich · #13 08-01-2009, 10:40 AM

You guys are nice with your comments on my fugly 36 - it shoots okay, though.

The Bodyguard hammer makes it look like one of those Filipino Armscorp things.

gizamo · #14 08-01-2009, 05:40 PM

The guys that I shoot against...just call this one "Fugly"

giz

mkk41 · #15 08-01-2009, 06:15 PM

My .41 Blackhawk with stainless Super Blackhawk grip frame. The small , light aluminum grip frame just didn't cut it with my large paws and hot loads. Could never figure why Ruger put a cheap aluminum gripframe on blued guns , but real steel on the stainless guns. I've added a Millett rear sight since this pic. It also has a super slick action and trigger job and it probably my favorite single action shootin' iron.

45Wheelgun · #16 08-01-2009, 09:38 PM

Well here are a couple of Franken-Wessons I made up some years ago.

Started with a couple of MINT - In the boxes with all papers tools and such, Model 19-4's with 2.5" barrels. Here is are a couple of before pictures:

The off to S&W for some transplant surgery. When they returned they looked like this:

It was way cheaper to do it that way, then to try to buy "real" pintos. Although, I guess these are "real" as they were "made" at the factory.

If this thread gets enough traction, I will post another one of my Franken-Wessons that had a laundry list of things done to it.

Goodtime Charlie · #17 08-01-2009, 10:26 PM

45wheelgun:

Those are kinda cool! Did you go on to have any engraving done on them? I think that might have just put the cherry on top!

Goodtime Charlie · #18 08-01-2009, 10:28 PM

So giz, did you do that work yourself? What guns were combined to make your Frankenstein?

gunnut44 · #19 08-01-2009, 10:43 PM

45wheelgun, I like your style! Those guns look great, if you wan't something nice, why not start out with something nice!

Catshooter · #20 08-02-2009, 11:40 AM

David,

If you still have that brass grimp frame for your old Ruger, and would like to sell it I could be interested.

Cat

all5x · #21 08-03-2009, 10:45 AM

Found a first year model 40 in a pawn shop that someone had put K frame adjustable sights on..with a pearl dot for the front sight..so pretty it was ugly..the shop owner said it belonged to a bar owner who had it modified and now had to get rid of it due to some problems with his divorce..it shot low, would not fit any holster I could find, and I finally just put it away since I got a good deal at the time when I bought it..it looked like a good job on the sights but it just destroyed the beautiful lines of the model and when I found out it was a first year issue that made me cry..all5x

ecam8000 · #22 08-03-2009, 06:41 PM

Maybe not Frankenstein, but it scares the heck out of some people. The lower one is an original 1st gen Bisley that some body added a target rib. It makes the SAA crowd mad!

Smilin-buddha · #23 08-04-2009, 10:21 AM

I am really enjoying these pistols

snakeman32 · #24 08-04-2009, 02:45 PM

I am enjoying them to. some cool looking guns for sure.

snakeman

The Gila Bender · #25 08-15-2009, 01:28 PM

With a nod to forum member 230grfmj, who was kind enough to hook me up last summer.

This is a replica pre-war Model of 1926 44 Target. The frame is a pre war N frame 38/44 Outdoorsman circa 1934. The barrel is from a 5” pre war .44 HE 3rd model, it did not have to be rebored or remarked to 44 Special.

The front sight originally was the normal forged half moon shaped sight used on fixed sighted guns. Bowen milled off the half moon, made a Patridge blade and installed into the blade and inserted a gold bead to resemble a “Call” gold bead, and then pinned it to the forged base, while not disturbing the original shape of the base. The cylinder has the "black powder chamfer", also by Bowen. The grips were made by Roy Fishpaw and were hand fitted to this frame and numbered to it as well. The emblems are mint condition pre war .500".

This "Frankenfortyfour" is, in my opinion, a work of art. It always raises eyebrows and gets genuine "oohs and aahs" from those who know what they are looking at. Sure, it's not a historic piece, but it sure is nice, kinda like a restored classic car.