Refinished (or not)?

A-37 · #1 10-16-2013, 01:26 PM

I recently bought a 3rd Model Single-Shot in excellent condition. Neither the seller nor I can find any evidence of rebluing (over-buffing, etc.). It's just hard to imagine that a gun this old can retain such a beautiful finish. The screws appear to be untouched. What do you think?

H Richard · #2 10-16-2013, 02:15 PM

I'm not a definitive expert on this, but the stamping edges appears soft and blended. The sharp corner edges do not appear as crisp as original. To me it is suspicious, but I will defer to the real experts. It is a beautiful piece. Have you checked under the grips on the left side of the grip frame near the front toe? If it was factory done there would be a date stamp, 2 digits and a "." and 2 digits, like 10.13 for Oct 13.

mmaher94087 · #3 10-16-2013, 02:43 PM

Gut feeling; refinish. It was nicely done but I don't see the "crispness" associated with factory work. Mike #283

Mike McLellan · #4 10-16-2013, 03:56 PM

Gut feelings are somewhat less than scientific, and lacking any concrete evidence of a refinish, I have to presume, subject to closer scrutiny, that the finish is original.

Modelof1891 · #5 10-16-2013, 04:17 PM

The rounded ends of the pins in the frame are now flat. I would say it has been refinished.

handejector · #6 10-16-2013, 06:34 PM

It is refinished.

Mike McLellan · #7 10-16-2013, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by handejector

It is refinished.

Well, that settles that! I knew it all along (not).

mmaher94087 · #8 10-16-2013, 10:01 PM

How does the top of the barrel latch-to-frame ears look? If the top of the ears (the frame pieces that the barrel latch holds when latched) are blued then it's not factory. These were left in-the-white. Mike #283

nutsforsmiths · #9 10-16-2013, 10:08 PM

I don't see a S&W logo on the right side of the frame like is on my Single Shot 2nd Model.

Did Smith not put their logo on 3rd Model frames or could it have been buffed off during a refinish.

rct269 · #10 10-16-2013, 10:42 PM

I have one with the large logo on the right side----three with the small logo on the left side. Numbers are 4807--small/left; 7642--large/right; 10617--small/left; and 11112--small left. So-------that makes no sense whatsoever!!

What's next?!!

Ralph Tremaine

A-37 · #11 10-17-2013, 07:52 AM

The ears are blued.

No logo on either side. Hard to tell from the 3rd Model photos in the SCSW but there don't appear to be S&W logos.

Considering the care taken to reblue my gun (assuming it is reblued), I doubt if the logo would've been buffed off.

FWIW, neither of my two 4th Models has a S&W logo.

hangnoose · #12 10-17-2013, 08:44 AM

A little wear around the pivot pin & screw by the hammer & the grip say it's been used (how much?), how's the inside of the bbl look? I'd expect more wear also. Did you remove the grips? I would have to say yes a refinish, and a good one. I'll take it off your hands even up for a beat up alloy air wt.

rct269 · #13 10-17-2013, 09:47 AM

Ears are blued-----refinished. No logo----no clue! (You doubt if the logo was buffed off----me too!)

Speaking of logos----neither of your two 4th Models have logos? Both of mine do have logos.

Logo Conclusions: S&W did or did not do whatever was convenient/expeditious at the time in order to move product out the door while maintaining quality which was competitive in the marketplace. Logos have no impact on quality----ship it!! And now we know how/why Messrs. Smith & Wesson became the two wealthiest men in the state/commonwealth of Massachusetts------so it is written!

Ralph Tremaine

A-37 · #14 10-17-2013, 12:10 PM

Ralph, my 4th Models (518 and 864) have small logos on the left side, same place, same size.

hangnoose:

Yes, I have removed the grips. No stampings and no penciled serial number on the grips. Did S&W mark the grips back in those days?

The bore is best described as "good".

The gun is too nice to trade away; Unless, of course, you have a NIB Model 952-2 6" !

Ed

rsl · #15 10-17-2013, 10:02 PM

I don't know Jack about your gun but the latch knurling looks worn.. Would not be on a gun with little or no use. Food for thought.. Shoot and enjoy it...

DWalt · #16 10-31-2013, 05:18 PM

While I have no experience whatsoever with this model, I have tightened a couple of sloppy .38 DAs by simply tapping on the tops or the ears, toward the rear, with a small hammer, using a tap and try approach and going slow. A pretty simple fix, as it worked OK for me.