32 HE 1st Mod. Clean Up

Barbarian-CBX

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Cleaned my 32 HE 1st model. Took side plate off and all internal parts and cylinder components were cleaned/lubricated. Very lightly buffed all chrome and grips. Came out pretty good considering it's over 120 years old. The bore is bright, crisp rifleing, and no corrosion. Chrome has a few spots that still show, mostly on the cylinder. Grips have a little stain that looks like it's below the surface. SN is 23XX. Thanks for all the great advice from the forum members.
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Looks good. I believe the finish is nickel, not chrome. Nickel has a yellowish tint and chrome has a bluish tint. Look under the barrel. There should a serial number there. If it has a "B" prefix, it shipped from the factory with a blue finish. No prefix indicates it shipped with a nickel finish.
 
Looks good. I believe the finish is nickel, not chrome. Nickel has a yellowish tint and chrome has a bluish tint. Look under the barrel. There should a serial number there. If it has a "B" prefix, it shipped from the factory with a blue finish. No prefix indicates it shipped with a nickel finish.
My bad. I meant nickel. And yes there is no prefix on the SN under the barrel. Plus the image shows a big spot on the side plate. That's something from the image, not revolver.
 
The yellow is simply age related. MOP yellows over time and yours are over 120 years old. All 32 HE, 1st Model revolvers are classified as antique by the BATF, since frames were all produced before 1898. Your revolver would have shipped around 1898, so the stocks may or may not be original. I see a chip on the right side stock that can be easily filled with epoxy. If you could find some MOP (the inside of oyster shells would work) and drilled a few shallow holes in it, you can repair that area quite easily.

Use the drill shavings and mix it into the epoxy, adding enough to make the epoxy opaque. Use tape to create a dam and carefully fill the crack, building it up just over the surface of the stock. Using a small fine needle file, level the area after full cure and use 400 grit sandpaper to sand smooth. Using toothpaste of auto paint polishing compound, you can buff the area and will substantially improve the appearance. Make sure you drill the clam shell outside, since the powder can be dangerous to inhale.
 
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