This is a very tough gun to find in nice shape. The only ones I have seen, other than this gun, has been badly engraved or abused. When I found this gun, I was excited. Once I got it home, I was a bit bummed to find the star and date under the grips. The good news is it was a S&W refinish. When I thought of the time span, it is almost understandable….
The gun was refinished when it was 80 years old…that was 55 years ago

Here is a 135year baby Smith that really is nice….with it's refinish..



It sure is a worthwhile addition to my .32 collection..

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

It is tough to tell a refinish from the pictures. Was it redone at the factory? It looks to be a great job.

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Gary & Terry, This gun is a good example of the quality refinishing done at the factory and probably one of the last few to get the treatment needed from the old time polishers and finishers still at the factory. Nobody there today can do this quality work. It's hard to deduct value from a gun like this because it was refinished. E.

Thanks Ed. Ed or Terry - I have been keeping track of factory refinish dates and am wondering if this one was stamped with the star and/or date? As you say, it was done with the old time polishers and finishers and might represent a very early factory refinish?? The earliest date I have recorded is February 1910, so am wondering if this one could be older?

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Gary and Ed,
The gun is stamped 960 with the "star" on the grip frame. If you want photos, I can provide them, but packing to go to Erie to photograph 600 guns for the 4th Ed. of Jim's & Rick's book. Will return next week and do the photos (if you want or need them).
I know from Ed the Manuf.Date, and I assume the refinish was later in September of 1960.
It is a very neat gun. Pristine throughout, even the bore is clean (very tough to find). It is obvious this gun had little use, so I question why it was refinished, but nickel has a tendency to "fog" after 80 years, so with a nice gun, the owner wanted it nicer. We will never know, for sure!

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

I hear you!
Any theories of why some do and others don't? What can be done to prevent it and, if it happens, is there any remedy short of a refinish?

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

The Service Dep't archives for Sept. 1960 in the Springfield Historical Museum ( formerly CVHM ) should have the invoice for the work done on this revolver, filed by the name of whom ever sent the gun to S&W for repair/refinish, or ?. It's possible it was not refinished as the star stamp indicates a repair and often a refinish job was thrown in by S&W as part of their customer service, but not always. Ed.

I would be proud to own that one re finished or not

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

now begins my quest for a 3rd model….and a 5th model
The third model has the later cylinder with the recurved trigger guard, while the 5th model has the later cylinder, round trigger guard and a FORGED front sight. The 5th should be easier, since there were so many, but the 3rd is elusive.

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Terry
SWCA, SWHS, IWLA, NRA

I'm still looking for a decent 2nd Model, but it doesn't have to be THAT decent....

I picked up one sometime ago with a nice low serial number but it turned out to be a complete wreck. All of the screws were frozen to to the point that even soaking them in various baths for a week at a time (Kroil, ATF, kerosene, sonic cleaner, etc.) and applying heat wouldn't break them loose.
At least it came with a nice set of floral (turkey) grips which are probably worth what I paid for the gun.

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Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446