Back from the dead

[Muddyboot]

My 2nd Model Hand Ejector 44 Special came back from David R. Chicoine this week after a complete restoration. Victim of a bad refinish and some poor gunsmithing in it's past rendered it un-shootable. So off to Dave it went.

Internally; these were the issues as described by Dave. The cylinder is not carrying up on all 6, the cylinder stop is binding on the trigger and is worn-leaving lots of radial play in the cylinder. The mainspring is incorrect and far too tight. The rebound spring is broken (several pieces fell out when I disassembled the gun.) The yoke is misaligned. The barrel-cylinder gap is uneven (.004" at the top and .007" at the bottom.) The trigger stud is loose in the frame. The yoke stop and its spring are missing. The cylinder fit with the yoke is loose from heavy wear and the yoke is a loose fit in the frame for the same reasons.

All mechanical issues were fixed, the refinish was done, as was the case hard colors on the hamer and trigger. The result.

My photos do not do the revolver justice. This one was shipped December 9, 1920 to the Kentucky Mine Supply Co., Middlesboro KY with a 5 inch barrel, blue finish and walnut gold medallion grips.

 

[perrazi]

great looking gun. how long did it take?

 

[Malysh]

That restoration is astounding!
Superb, excellent; what more could one say?

I have heard that Mr. Chicoine was the best.
Now I see why.

 

[Muddyboot]

great looking gun. how long did it take?

21 months, Dave does not have a lot of people on staff, so if you're in a big hurry, you best go elsewere. But in my opinion, he is the best at what he does.

 

[tango-papa]

Beeyooteefuul!

tp

 

[ContinentalOp]

That gun looks amazing! Very nice work. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? Do you have any "before" pictures?

 

[DCWilson]

Absolutely spectacular. What a great restoration!

 

[Muddyboot]

That gun looks amazing! Very nice work. Have you had a chance to shoot it yet? Do you have any "before" pictures?

Here are some before pics, note the hammer and trigger. I'll take her to the range for the first time since it's return in the morning.

 

[twaits]

Astounding. As much as I like the patina on my snubnose project gun seeing this makes me want the full boat professional restoration!
That just looks amazing.

 

[kennethg]

That is a beauty.

 

[G.A.Sea53]

Very nice gun Muddyboot! Second models don't get nearly the amount
of respect they deserve. I have one with the 6 1/2 inch bbl. and I
think it is a grand old revolver.

 

[j38]

That's amazing work. I'm glad you're happy and, deservedly so.

Jerry

 

[feralmerril]

No offense, but respectively I cant see why you wanted it redone.

 

[JP@AK]

Very nice, Muddyboot.
It is a superb looking gun now!
JP

 

[dacoontz]

He does do great work. I guess I know where I will be sending my 3.5 inch pre-27 when I can save up the money to restore it.

PM to the OP.

 

[Muddyboot]

No offense, but respectively I cant see why you wanted it redone.

Due to the mechanical issues it could not be fired. The refinish was just icing on the cake.

 

[OIF2]

Very nice. I'm also a fan of restorations, if you have the "right" candidate and the work is done by a master. The nice thing about that one is being able to shoot it as well as look at it. If it were in original condition, it would be languishing in the back of the safe. Thanks for sharing.
Bob

 

[Joe Kent]

OIF2, nailed it for me. I also have one of David's restorations and as the case with yours , I now have a great looking and working example of a 5in 3rd model 44 that I am not afraid to shoot. Again, great looking revolver and thanks for sharing with us. Joe.

 

[beagleye]

Awesome after.

Not too shabby before.

 

[50 target]

Well, those pics made up my mind. I have a 2nd Model Target that needs some resurrection and it will be in the mail soon.

Where did those grips come from? Looks like they came off a new gun. I think mine carry the non medallion and after restoration will need a pair as nice.

Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy

 

[Muddyboot]

Well, those pics made up my mind. I have a 2nd Model Target that needs some resurrection and it will be in the mail soon.

Where did those grips come from? Looks like they came off a new gun. I think mine carry the non medallion and after restoration will need a pair as nice.

Thanks for sharing.

Enjoy

The revolver lettered with the gold medallion grips though the ones on it are not original to the revolver. Does anyone have a history on the Kentucky Mine Supply Co., Middlesboro KY which is were the revolver shipped to in 1920.

 

[feralmerril]

Good! I didnt read the original post closely. Once I gave a 1917 to my close friend and wife that took me in to recouperate from a bad accident. He put the gun in a old amway sample case. Some chemical "frosted" the gun with light rust. It looked awfull! He sent it to smith and it came back with I belive, the prettiest blue I ever seen on a smith!

 

[mikepriwer]

The Chicoines have done outstanding work on my guns for the past
20 years, and I have nothing but good things to say about them. The
mechanical issues with your gun are not trivial fix, and getting it
right is a real sense of accomplishment.

I tend to agree with one of the commentors, about the refinish. From
the pictures you posted, the original finish was very nice - certainly
acceptable to me. In this case, I probably would have opted not to
refinish it, primarily because the color doesn't come out quite like
the original. To my mind, mechanical repairs don't take away from
the originality and collectibility of the piece.

Still in all, its a very nice example.

Mike Priwer

 

[Muddyboot]

The Chicoines have done outstanding work on my guns for the past
20 years, and I have nothing but good things to say about them. The
mechanical issues with your gun are not trivial fix, and getting it
right is a real sense of accomplishment.

I tend to agree with one of the commentors, about the refinish. From
the pictures you posted, the original finish was very nice - certainly
acceptable to me. In this case, I probably would have opted not to
refinish it, primarily because the color doesn't come out quite like
the original. To my mind, mechanical repairs don't take away from
the originality and collectibility of the piece.

Still in all, its a very nice example.

Mike Priwer

Mike
The revolver had been refinished prior to sending it to Dave and was not as good as my photo indicated. The lighting I use tends to wash out the blue in the digital photos, there really is a huge difference between the two refinishes. Thanks to all for your comments. I shot the revolver this morning and it was perfect, had a few guy's wanting to know what it was and how it was in such great condition. I have several more projects going to Dave in the next few year's, all Colt's as of now. Muddyboot, standing member of the Colt Forum BBBGC.

 

[mikepriwer]

M

I wondered about it perhaps already having been refinished. I didn't
study the gun carefully, but given it had been refinished , then it was
a good choice to get it done right !

Regards, Mike Priwer

 

[zainyD]

I love these restorations. Great to see an old revolver back in shape for another 90 years of use.