Before and after photos.

[Art Doc]

No, not me in a speedo!

Is this better? This is the pre-war HD I picked up a few months ago. First picture shows it as it was when I bought it with the hammer and trigger nickel plated and the very late production Magna stocks. The second shot shows it now with the hammer and trigger (somewhat) restored to original appearance and wearing a set of (what I believe to be) polished buffalo horn stocks (likely Eagles).

I am not big on non-factory stocks but these came on another gun I bought and were in the parts box. A set of correct pre-war Magnas would cost more than I paid for the gun so that's out of the question. I have some early post-war Magnas but I am trying to decide if I like these instead. I think maybe the dark stocks contrast nicely with the nickel. Anyone want to comment? Yea or nay?

I am still deciding on the stocks but I think in general the gun looks better now. Despite the gun's many flaws I think it's worth the $400 I have in it if only as a shooter.

PS: I think I know what happened to the tip of the hammer spur. You can see in the first photo there's a pretty good dent in the frame under the cylinder right behind the crane. The crane is straight and functions fine and I can't find anything out of alignment but it took a good whack at some point. Probably dropped on cement and bounced a couple times denting the frame and snapping off the tip of the hammer spur.

Shame.

 

[Art Doc]

No, not me in a speedo!

Is this better? This is the pre-war HD I picked up a few months ago. First picture shows it as it was when I bought it with the hammer and trigger nickel plated and the very late production Magna stocks. The second shot shows it now with the hammer and trigger (somewhat) restored to original appearance and wearing a set of (what I believe to be) polished buffalo horn stocks (likely Eagles).

I am not big on non-factory stocks but these came on another gun I bought and were in the parts box. A set of correct pre-war Magnas would cost more than I paid for the gun so that's out of the question. I have some early post-war Magnas but I am trying to decide if I like these instead. I think maybe the dark stocks contrast nicely with the nickel. Anyone want to comment? Yea or nay?

I am still deciding on the stocks but I think in general the gun looks better now. Despite the gun's many flaws I think it's worth the $400 I have in it if only as a shooter.

PS: I think I know what happened to the tip of the hammer spur. You can see in the first photo there's a pretty good dent in the frame under the cylinder right behind the crane. The crane is straight and functions fine and I can't find anything out of alignment but it took a good whack at some point. Probably dropped on cement and bounced a couple times denting the frame and snapping off the tip of the hammer spur.

Shame.

 

[Deacon KC]

SP, it looks really sharp as it is with the current grips. Very nice!

 

[Raider]

Very nice. I'm glad for ya.

 

[mkk41]

Bet a little bit of Flitz or Simichrome and a piece of old flannel will take care of them scratches.

 

[mikepriwer]

SP

Personally, I like the lighter pair better . But, that lighter pair of grips
is a late pair of post-WW2 magnas. You can tell that from the very rounded magna
corners. A very early pair , with the much sharper contour to the magna horn,
would look better yet.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[deadin]

While you're at it, please,please, please find a new hammer. That stubby makes it look like a Rohm or RG.

 

[Art Doc]

Well, you got a pre-war N frame humpback hammer in your pocket? I know it looks bad but the cost of a replacement... if one could be found... would be prohibitive.

Mike- I either like real light or real dark on nickel guns. I have a couple sets of early post-war Magnas available but all are medium color and would be OK but not special and would still be incorrect.

 

[j38]

S.P., I've scrolled back and forth a bunch of times - and I'm starting to like the dark grips... Fortunately, grips are easily changed, and you'll probably find a set of ivories soon that fit perfectly and cost you $25. Nice gun, by the way. Regards, Jerry

 

[rayb]

How does it shoot?? What load or ammunition does it prefer??

The ?Buffalo horn? grips look fine. So does the hammer.

How does it shoot?

Your opinions may vary.

rayb

 

[Art Doc]

I've only shot it once casually just to try it out. For an older Smith it has a very heavy trigger. Not sure why but it's much heavier than my other Smiths of similar vintage.

 

[N_itis]

I agree that there is little point of putting an expensive set of stocks on it, and that is what any sort of prewar N frame stocks are...expensive. I also agree that the dark stocks are a pleasing contrast to the nickel (chrome?).

Just out of curiosity, is this Heavy Duty a prewar gun or an early postwar transition gun?

As for replacing the hammer, I would love to have a $400.00 N frame shooter of any kind with a functional humpback hammer, even if that meant doing without the tip of it.

I may have just missed it, but what process did you use to restore the hammer and trigger? You never know, I might stumble across a similar gun and, being the philanthropist that I am, I would like to provide it the same treatment.

 

[glypnir]

Neither set of grips looks right. They both obviously don't go with the gun because they are in too good shape.

If I let my esthetic sense go, it says, find some grips where the wear matches the pistol.

You could always brutalize the buffalo horns.

The holster worn prewar magnas on our Registered Magnum would be perfect, but you can't have them.

I think I was the first one to take them off of the gun. Yes, they are numbered to it.

It's kind of a shame that the grips have gotten so valuable on their own. Makes it hard to put together a nice original. On the other hand, it's nice that they are appreciated.

Even with grips that aren't quite right, it's really a nice piece, especially with what you've put into it.

It does look a lot nicer with the parts case hardened instead of chrome plated. Now where did I see a replated pistol with the same problem? Hmmmm.

Excuse me, must go to gun store.

 

[Art Doc]

N_itis- It was shipped in 1940. It is one of the uncommon 4" pre-war HDs. It's a shame it's in such bad shape.

The hammer and trigger were reworked by Bob Gilman at William Mayfield Firearms in Fresno, CA. There is a website. He stripped the plating and applied a fake case-hardened look and he charges $25 per part. They look better than being plated but they don't look new. Shooter grade only.

 

[1Aspenhill]

SP,
Your gun is not in as bad of shape as one I purchased last year! I like the hammer and trigger now. what ever grips you put on it will look good to me!

anytime you want to send it Texas, just let me know!
Bill