Model 1950 Military .44 Spl Project help

Bill Bates · Jun 20, 2012

I need a little input on a project I’m thinking about. I recently picked up a shooter grade 1955 vintage, Model 1950 .44 Spl. revolver. At some point in its life it was chrome plated. Whoever did the work did a decent job of polishing but not a great job. There is a little dishing of the screw holes and the side plate is a little less than flat. The chrome is beginning to flake. The grips are numbered to a different revolver.

Here is what I’m toying with; I’m thinking about a bit of a BBQ gun. This revolver is in decent mechanical condition. It has been messed with enough that I don’t mind messing with it more. I think I would like to maybe have it nickel plated, screws fire blued and adding some long horn style carved ivory grips. Due to my tight budget I will do this in steps. I’ll start with picking up some replacement screws and doing the fire blue, then the grips, saving nickel plating for last. Do any of you have recommendations on sources of screws, grips and plating.

Heres how the .44 looks today. It is nice but I kind of want to make completely mine.

DCWilson · Jun 20, 2012

That's not a bad gun as is, to judge from the photos. I understand that you might want to tune it up, but if I had a gun that was that close to original configuration I would probably just dechrome it, have it repolished by someone who could do a sensitive job, and then reblue it if you can establish that it was a blued gun in the first place.

I have nothing against barbecue guns, but I think I would find a more common model (a pre-27 for example) for such a treatment. I would argue that something scarce like a .44 Military deserves to live its life a little closer to its original configuration.

But it's your gun and you have the right to determine its future. I comment only because you invited us to. Whatever you do, I won't complain about it in the future.

Green Frog · Jun 20, 2012

I find myself surprisingly in the opposite camp from my friend David... this has to be a first! I am of the persuasion that it can only be original once. Now that the finish has been altered, you "can never go home." For that reason alone, I see this as a prime candidate for an upgrade to Bar-b-que Gun status if and only if you plan to do all the work in a top drawer manner appropriate to the inherent value of this scarce model. Changing the screws and grips as you propose are of course reversible steps, so I would urge you to follow your proposed plan to do them first. If you still want to continue the upgrade, the refinish would be the crowning (and final) step. Likewise, you may decide at that juncture to follow David's advice and return it to a quality blued finish. In the meanwhile, unless the Bar-b-que is held at Southfork during a filming of Dallas, you will still be able to hold your head up high! This of course, is JMHO, and as friend David said, "... it's your gun and you have the right to determine its future."

Regards,
Froggie

4330Inroute · Jun 20, 2012

I would agree with Mr. Wilson there. I like it as is. Spend your money on ammo and targets and enjoy it for what it is: a fine S&W. But as he pointed out '...it's your gun and you have the right to determine its future..."

DGNY · Jun 20, 2012

You have found a gun many of us would love to run into, in a small dusty LGS, sitting forlornly on the back edge of a lower shelf.

As hinted above, would be good to have some more info- whether originally blue, where shipped and to whom, mechanical condition and just how bad the dishing, waviness may be.

You do get bonus points for your multi-part plan, much of it reversible. Good luck!

Regards,

Dyson

Bill Bates · Jun 20, 2012

I tend to lean in the "it can only be original once" column. I do plan in shooting as I do my un-messed with older transition .44 Spl. Hand Ejector. That gun is well worn but un-fiddled with and I wouldn't think of refinishing it. It is my favorite handgun and the gun I would want near at hand if things turn bad.

The revolver in question has been messed with. Yes, it is a rare model but really it is just a shooter. It was a gun when I saw I thought to myself, darn that is to bad. Then I thought hmmm that would make a nice canvas for something very special. When the work is done I want it to be done very right and could use some help with who to do the finish work. If it was Colt ro Winchester for case colors it would be off to Turnbulls. With a Smith and nickel plating I'm not sure.

Sebago Son · Jun 20, 2012

Pre-21....

I wonder if that is a Franken-gun. Something about it suggests that perhaps it was a .38-44 re chambered and re barreled with a surplus Pre-21 tube as were available from J&G Rifle Ranch in the 70's. Are the barrel and cylinder serial numbered to the frame?

For reference, here's an original 4" Pre-21 in nickle from 1955.

I doubt that your gun originally shipped in nickle. Research performed by my friend BruceHMX indicates that it is one of only two such guns made. Mine and another which was factory renickled in 1972. The second, refinished gun was offered for sale recently with a stunning price tag.

If indeed it is a put-together gun, I wouldn't give two thoughts as to whether or not to alter it further. If, however it is not, you might want to reconsider due to it's potential value. It's sale, even in an altered state, may put you into enough cash to do something else that you really want and fully fund that project.

Good luck,

Drew

Bill Bates · Jun 20, 2012

Pretty sure it was a blued gun to start. The is no N stamp anywhere. The serial numbers: barrel, ejector star, cylinder and frame all match. The grips do not match. It has been chrome plated ( I kind of hate the silver blue color cast of the chrome) It does look a little better in the photos than it does in person. I bought it pretty cheap. It is my favorite caliber, in my favorite configuration and it has been messed with. I don't feel there is any reason to not make it something personal. If it were original, even in warn condition I would leave it alone.

Texas Star · Jun 20, 2012

Bill Bates said:
I tend to lean in the "it can only be original once" column. I do plan in shooting as I do my un-messed with older transition .44 Spl. Hand Ejector. That gun is well worn but un-fiddled with and I wouldn't think of refinishing it. It is my favorite handgun and the gun I would want near at hand if things turn bad.

The revolver in question has been messed with. Yes, it is a rare model but really it is just a shooter. It was a gun when I saw I thought to myself, darn that is to bad. Then I thought hmmm that would make a nice canvas for something very special. When the work is done I want it to be done very right and could use some help with who to do the finish work. If it was Colt ro Winchester for case colors it would be off to Turnbulls. With a Smith and nickel plating I'm not sure.

I like that holster. Safariland M-29? I have a couple of those. And do prefer basketweave stamping to floral carving, which looks too "cowboy" to me. My Safariland holsters are lined in green suede (?) and cause very little finish wear.

What ammo do you shoot in that gun? I'm guessing that it isn't the full Keith load for normal use. But it's easy to handload to better specs than factories do. If I had a .44 Special, I'd be satisfied with that bullet at about 900 FPS for anything not involving bears or deliberate hunting of pigs and such.

The only thing I'd do with a gun like these is to restore it to pristine appearance and change the grips to something that fit my hand and looked better. I abhor nickel or chrome plating, but these aren't my guns. At least,, that chromed one has the casehardened trigger and hammer still. I hope the dished screwholes can be cleaned up. Skeeter Skelton once wrote that not very many people have the talent to polish or reblue a gun properly. He was right!

I think Turnbull can work on S&W's, and I hear good things about a place called Ford's in Florida, I think. Good luck with the project.

JSR III · Jun 20, 2012

Although I have had no personal experience with Ford's in Florida, I too have heard very good things about their work. I have also seen several guns that they did and they all looked fantastic.

I would call them and get an estimate. As others have stated, I mostly fall into the "leave it alone" camp, however, that usually involves guns that haven't been touched already and are just missing finish. In your case, the gun has already been "touched" so IMHO doing it over and most likely better can't hurt what you have. Done well, it will actually be an improvement.

As with all or most restoration work, it is a labor of love and not necessarily one where you expect to make money or get your investment back. Sometimes in life you just have to do things just for the "hell" of it.

Heck, I bought a boat several years ago, talk about never getting your money back!!!!!

Texas Star · Jun 20, 2012

Money is just money. A good gun is... wonderful to have.

moosedog · Jun 20, 2012

I agree that a gun can only be original once, after that, anything goes.
If it was mine I may just Fitz it.

29aholic · Jun 20, 2012

moosedog said:
I agree that a gun can only be original once, after that, anything goes.
If it was mine I may just Fitz it.

Then throw a set of stags (or ivory) and a grip adapter on it and call it good. Then work on a BBQ holster.

2152hq · Jun 20, 2012

I'd strip the chrome first, then see what the metal finish is like underneath.
It can hide a lot including braze repairs and the like (not that I suspect any, but it should be mentioned)
Then polish the revolver out and do any mechanical repairs or upgrades desired..
The new grips come next fitted to the frame while still in the white to get a perfect fit.

Then it's time to apply the final finish.
The screws will be stripped of chrome at the same time and can be finished any way you want at the same time as the rest of the gun.

The traditional nickle plated finish will demand the highest degree of polish, which at the same time is where most polishing jobs fall apart. Trying for the high gloss is where the dished holes and rounded edges usually happens (unless the polisher starts and stays with soft wheels the entire process anyway,,in that case they get formed early in the polishing).

Revolvers are additionally more difficult to do than semiautos and SAA's because of their complicated shape(s). They take more time & skill and a lot (most) restoration 'smiths don't want to do them.

Quite frankly, they can't make any money on them compared to the other style handguns mentioned and have the same quality of polish.
Many do a very nice job on them,,but they just don't quite meet the 'restored finish' level. Just a better quality refinish than you might have already. You have to decide what you want as a finished look and will be happy with.

It's a good candidate revolver to do something with for sure. A lot of different directions and things could be done with it. All that can get in the way is money and time.

rburg · Jun 20, 2012

Um... Lots of suggestions so far. I'm a little confused about it. Its a M1950, and your blue one is a postwar 3rd Model military. The 3rd Model is well used, and could fill in the need for a blue gun. Even so, there's not enough difference between them to really alter how they feel. You could also think about some engraving before you get it replated. It could be as gaudy as you could stand, or less. Regardless, now's the time to consider it. Even if you reject the idea, it gives you comfort to have considered all the aspects. And a good engraver will include the replating in the deal.

I have no idea on who to suggest for the grips. If you go with ivory, and want it carved, good luck. Keith Brown has done some checkering on engraved grips. I think Lee was the customer, and I only got to look at them for a few seconds, but they looked great. You could contact Don Collins and see if he knows anyone who will carve. He can probably supply the grips. He's another well known craftsman with an outstanding reputation. Your other option is to haunt gun shows everywhere, looking for grips that turn your crank. Good luck with that, and getting a set that actually fits. I've seen the full range of carvings and I've pretty much decided way more are awful than just OK, with very few being really great quality. That tends to recommend you buying already carved grips that suit you, or sticking with uncheckered and uncarved. Anyway you look at it, that's going to be another $500 or more in your little project. If you buy already carved ones, and you buy them right, you should be able to recover your cost if you bail out on the project.

And you could also silver plate it. Its a pretty traditional way to refinish a SAA Colt. Kind of upgrading it.

Dan M · Jun 20, 2012

I believe Colt can fire blue the screws for you, Here is a Triple lock with Fire blue screws and trigger that was engraved by Wolf & Klar

Dan

rburg · Jun 20, 2012

Ummm.... Dan.... What was it General Patton said about pearl grips?

STCM(SW) · Jun 20, 2012

I agree on a good nickel plating if it's just a shooter if you don't like what it has now. Who knows what trying to re-blue it will look like.

Bill Bates · Jun 21, 2012

Dan your Wolf & Klar is the look I'm going for, only with ivory. I may think about a little engraving if the budget will allow...just a little scroll at the corners and end of the barrel.

The Nitre/fire blued screws I can do myself. Anyone know where a full set of screws might be had.

Also, has anyone done any business with Nutmeg Sports when it comes to ivory grips?

Hondo44 · Jun 21, 2012

Bill Bates said:
Dan your Wolf & Klar is the look I'm going for, only with ivory. I may think about a little engraving if the budget will allow...just a little scroll at the corners and end of the barrel.

The Nitre/fire blued screws I can do myself. Anyone know where a full set of screws might be had.

Also, has anyone done any business with Nutmeg Sports when it comes to ivory grips?

I agree, I could not stand the chrome finish; must be removed in my book. Your 44 has great potential.

Jim at Nutmeg used to work for Colt years ago IIRC. I've not gotten good feedback on Nutmeg. However Bob Leskovic has always received good reviews. I'll send a PM with a sample of his work I just happened to see in an auction today. Are you familiar with David Chicoine for refinishing; he's an S&W specialist.

Model 1950 Military .44 Spl Project help

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