Desisions desisions

[steelslaver]

I short time back a guy contacted me about reworking the threads on 2 1/2" Python barrel and a short stainless N frame barrel to K frame threads and reworking the shroud cuts so a K frame ejector rod would clear, In payment he offered me a 6" Nickel Python barrel. I said OK.

Did the work and then looked around for a nickle K frame to make a Smolt. I find a Nickel combat masterpiece that has issues and get it for $435. I could see it had been dropped on its front sight and the pins had sheared and ramp moved. But, I was not that interested in the barrel, as I was going to stick the python barrel on it.

The gun shows up and although it isn't cherry it is really nice smooth action etc. Tiny light scratches, slightly yellowed cylinder and a tiny bit of nickel gone on side plate where it joins the frame by front screw. Tiny bit of a bump on front sight blade. Then I look up the serial number and it is dead in the middle of my birth yea,r 1951.
I am thinking I can make a couple small aluminum or brass wedges and get the ramp of the gun with no further harm. Put it back where it belongs. Make some pins out of some pure nickel tig rod I have laying around and have a fairly nice birth year nickel gun

But, then what do I do with that nickel Python barrel. It would also make a very interesting birth year gun.

What would this thing be worth with the sight fixed?
How cool would a 6" nickel Smolt be?

What to do, what to do

 

[DGNY]

All interesting and good. We await your imagination and execution of your plan!

 

[merl67]

Steelslaver I like custom work, but with so little work needed to put it back right I too would be tempted to do so, and search for better candidate for your Smolt conversion.

 

[SAFireman]

Well,

Since you seem to have loads of machine experience, and likely the machines to go with it, why not put brass or aluminum pads in the vise and clamp the sides, then bump the barrel with a rawhide mallet? The effort to make wedges seems excessive.

Either way, you are going to be putting a Colt barrel on a Smith. I can't wait to see what you come up with

 

[Murdock]

Keep the Combat Masterpiece, repair it, enjoy the birth year nature of the restored piece.

Keep the Python barrel; another host frame will come along when you least expect it.

 

[steelslaver]

Steelslaver I like custom work, but with so little work needed to put it back right I too would be tempted to do so, and search for better candidate for your Smolt conversion.

I already have a vice with brass jaws. and am sure one way or the other I could fix the ramp and sight. Then what, going looking for another nickel frame to stick the barrel on. I have a do have a nickel 357 K frame cylinder so I guess I could make another pinto. But one thing is for sure, I don't need to buy any more guns or project guns.

I have already stuck a Colt Python barrel on a Smith frame

I have lots of project N frames, maybe I need to find a nickel 27 cylinder. Wonder how much it would cost to have a N frame cylinder and frame nickel ed????

 

[steelslaver]

Well, I clamped the sides of the ramp in may brass jawed vise, then placed a piece of aluminum round stock on the muzzle, clamped the frame between an elbow and my well padded middle and gave it a tap and moved it out enough, I could lift the frame off the ramp. Cleaned both with some brake cleaner. filed a tiny bur off the bottom of the sharp end of the ramp. Then used the holes in the ramp to sand down some nickel tig rod to just fit. sanded to length domed and polished with a battery powered drill and an 800 grit belt on my 2x 72 grinder, and it is now a presentable . Nickel combat master piece. Not perfect there is a mark from the guy before where he tapped with a punch by the ramp pins and the little spot by the end of thee side plate. But, all in all a nice looking gun for something 70 years old. Better shape than it current owner. Functions real fine.

Will fine polish take the yellow off the cylinder and shine it up?

 

[merl67]

Will fine polish take the yellow off the cylinder and shine it up?

I would think so I have used Mothers Mag to clean a clouded nickle gun was mirror bright afterwards. You might have to go over entire gun for it to look right, might not you would just have to see how it looks.
Congrats on the birth year gun !

 

[jc2721]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but is that rear sight nickeled as well? Could that indicate the gun have been refinished?

 

[jc2721]

Simichrome is an excellent polish--I once owned a 3" nickeled 36 that had a milky look on one side of the frame and cylinder. A couple of minutes gently polishing it with a new microfiber cloth and a dab of simichrome made it look brand new.

 

[steelslaver]

Rear sight body is nickel, blade is not, ejector star is not, hammer trigger are not.

 

[BigBill]

Pictures of the conversion?

 

[stansdds]

Mother's Mag Wheel Polish, Semi-Chrome Paste, or Flitz on a soft cloth, polish gently by hand and see if that yellowed nickel brightens up a bit.

I think you did the right thing by making a relatively simple repair. Find another nickel plated Model 15 or Model 19 for conversion to a Smolt.

 

[steelslaver]

I think I am going to strip a model 28 frame down to just a yoke, cylinder and frame and send it off to get nickel plated. Making a piece that has internal thread for the python barrel and has external N frame threads should be fairly easy and plenty strong. there is a difference of .108 or if I put K frame threads on Python barrel first it would be .130.

I have a pre model HP 5 screw some nitwit, put baked on coating on the cylinder, hammer etc. Just need to find a reasonable shop to plate a cylinder, yoke and frame

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I don't know what you mean by "reasonable." But, if you want it done well, Accurate Plating & Weaponry | Gunsmith In Newville, Alabama does a fine job...but they aren't cheap. They can also laser recut all the stampings if you want.

 

[Green Frog]

I've been on this forum several times with project guns that have been altered to suit my fancy, but each time I've started with a donor gun that is flawed, damaged, or otherwise (IMHO) not of sufficient interest in its original condition to merit preservation. Your nickel Combat Masterpiece was right on the cusp of preserve vs rebuild, and with the other factors involved and your ability to bring it back to original configuration, I would say you definitely did a good thing.

As for that Python barrel, it's not eating anything and I'd be willing to bet a good donor will show up when you least expect. I know you have a couple of N frame donors available, but there's something about a K frame Smolt that just turns my wheels... and in nickel, well all I can say is "Too cool!" I'll be looking forward to progress reports with the rest of the gang.

Froggie

PS Some of my projects have gone on for several years waiting for just the right alignment of the stars for the actual build to begin. In fact, I have a 32 Kit gun build right now that has been developing (moldering? festering?) for over 10 years now. It's not good to rush into things!

 

[steelslaver]

Froggie

PS Some of my projects have gone on for several years waiting for just the right alignment of the stars for the actual build to begin. In fact, I have a 32 Kit gun build right now that has been developing (moldering? festering?) for over 10 years now. It's not good to rush into things!

I have a couple I frame and J frame 32s and a couple of J frame sight assemblies. One of these days I am going to have a 32 kit gun project. Mostly a case o deciding which goes under the knife. I have a J frame cylinder reamed to 32 H&R and would like to use that, but all my 2 J frame 32s are just a bit to nice to work on.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Could that Python barrel be fitted to a polished stainless steel Ruger Security Six?

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Used Mothers on a 2 inch Smith nickel pre model 10 that was so yellow the seller thought it had a gold wash. Guess that was why I got a good deal. Turned out gorgeous. Great polish. When you get your Smith polished up you need to post a pix.

 

[NavySCPO]

I've been on this forum several times with project guns that have been altered to suit my fancy, but each time I've started with a donor gun that is flawed, damaged, or otherwise (IMHO) not of sufficient interest in its original condition to merit preservation. Your nickel Combat Masterpiece was right on the cusp of preserve vs rebuild, and with the other factors involved and your ability to bring it back to original configuration, I would say you definitely did a good thing.

As for that Python barrel, it's not eating anything and I'd be willing to bet a good donor will show up when you least expect. I know you have a couple of N frame donors available, but there's something about a K frame Smolt that just turns my wheels... and in nickel, well all I can say is "Too cool!" I'll be looking forward to progress reports with the rest of the gang.

Froggie

PS Some of my projects have gone on for several years waiting for just the right alignment of the stars for the actual build to begin. In fact, I have a 32 Kit gun build right now that has been developing (moldering? festering?) for over 10 years now. It's not good to rush into things!

Froggie you are a hoot! Keep up the great posts, you keep this old boy entertained!

 

[Green Frog]

Froggie you are a hoot! Keep up the great posts, you keep this old boy entertained!

Glad you enjoy my posts “old boy.” A lot depends on how much coffee (or other “adult beverage”) I have consumed or am consuming at the time I’m posting. Sometimes my tongue is so far into my cheek I look like Alvin the chipmunk on that side!

I try to provide some entertainment and comic relief so I don’t feel guilty about asking for help and info from the real experts here who have been so very generous when asked. We are blessed here with an unbelievable depth and breadth of knowledge and members who share it freely.

Entertainment aside, on those rare occasions I actually talk about something serious, I do make every effort to speak from direct observation or experience, rather than repeating third hand armchair “wisdom.” I feel that is just responsible behavior for us all.

Froggie

 

[JohnRippert]

I have quite a few projects stashed away in the closet and under my bed for when I retire. As far as I am concerned, you can NEVER have too many projects lined up. Would like to see your CM now that you have massaged it.

 

[Green Frog]

I have quite a few projects stashed away in the closet and under my bed for when I retire. As far as I am concerned, you can NEVER have too many projects lined up. Would like to see your CM now that you have massaged it.

Before I retired (many years ago now) I was advised to get as much done as possible before retirement because I’d be too busy after I retired to do what I wanted... although it sounded strange, there was some truth there.

If the length of my life will be determined by how many projects I have left to do, Methuselah’s record is in serious jeopardy.

Froggie