Finish challenged Pre 29 6.5"

[Dino44]

Last Friday, I bid on and won, this Pre 29 4 screw, at a local auction house. It cost me $1243.50 after fees and tax. My high bid was $1000.00. I picked it up yesterday afternoon. It looks better than I expected, based on auction photos. Serial number is S179810. I'm going to give it an Ed's red bath and see if I can improve its appearance some. I felt like I needed to rescue it from further degradation and I'm really glad it did. After leaving the auction house I stopped at a LGS to buy a gun rug, and they had a really nice K-22 Outdoorsman that had to come home too. Here's some pictures.

 

[boykinlp]

Looks like you got 2 good ones to me!
Larry

 

[muzhunter]

Dinno,

Nice find!!

You mentioned you're going to give it an Ed's red bath to clean it up.
Trying to learn how to improve a finish on a gun.

What is in the bath? It would be great if you could share your process and some PICS after.

Thanks Muz

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Dinno,

Nice find!!

You mentioned you're going to give it an Ed's red bath to clean it up.
Trying to learn how to improve a finish on a gun.

What is in the bath? It would be great if you could share your process and some PICS after.

Thanks Muz

See the attached for making Ed's Red Gun Bore cleaner. Once you have a sufficient batch, remove the grips and immerse the gun in the Ed's Red in a chemically resistant and sealable container (paint can). Leave it in the solution for a week to soften the corrosion then remove and wipe away the residue with cotton or microfiber cloths. You can clean off the remaining Ed's Red or leave it as it serves as a great lubricant. I tend to spray the gun down with aerosol gun/parts/carb cleaner then lubricate the moving parts and wipe the outside with an oily cloth. Should be good to go.

 

[Hawg Rider]

I'm glad to hear that you rescued that 4-screw .44 Magnum. Not that many around, and prices are really skyrocketing...even for those that are finish challenged! Once you get it cleaned up, I'll bet it's an outstanding shooter, and one that you're not afraid to take to the range. Too bad someone removed the Coke Bottle stocks, but it's still wearing some nice smooth presentation targets. It always hurts me when I see an abused or neglected vintage revolver, but it's nice to know that there are Forum members that step up to become caretakers and preserve them.

 

[Gun Relics]

What's sad is I bet that gun was hardly shot, but left in a leather holster exposed to a damp environment. I would get it refinished by a top shop.

 

[Model29-26.5]

Great price for a piece of history.
Very nice.
Hope it comes out tip top.
Would love to see pics after it takes a bath

 

[gmborkovic]

"re-finished by a top shop". When you find that shop, please post here on the Forum.

 

[DARE]

Congrats on a nice pair. I'll bet the 44 will clean up well.
I have a similar pair. Too bad your 44 did not have Cokes, but those grips are pretty nice. Think you did great on the price.

5-screw 1st year 44 Magnum and a K-22 Outdoorsman from 1937.
The 44 was advertised as 85% and I think is maybe 90%. The K-22 I would call 95%.

 

[Gun Relics]

"re-finished by a top shop". When you find that shop, please post here on the Forum.

From what I've seen, I like Ford's in Florida "Master Blue" (gallery shot below). On a high value gun, I will probably try them sometime as long as turnaround is within 3 or 4 months.

 

[Dino44]

Update, I completed a 14-day soak in the Ed's red formula. Here are the results after the cleaning. Of note, I wish I had seen or heard some cautions about the possible effects of deformation in regard to the red ramp front sight. I checked the gun after day six and saw no problems. Apparently somewhere between day seven and fourteen the deformation occurred. Otherwise, I'm really happy with the outcome and would recommend no more than 6 days when plastic fitted front sights are involved. One other side note. The double action trigger pull is amazingly smooth and easy. I'm eager to shoot it this weekend.

 

[waelkhntr]

I think you can get a replacement front sight insert from Brownell's shooting supplies.

Terry

 

[DARE]

Yeah, too bad you were not cautioned about the front sight. Probably pretty easy to remove it and avoid damage.

 

[moosedog]

I wish I would have saw this post earlier as I was going to post about the Eds Red caution. It can also dissolve the paint out of the white inlay rear sight along with any painted parts on the guns such as WWII P-38 and Walther PP & PPK pistols that have the white and red dots on their safety's.

 

[NCBeagle]

I think that Pre-29 looks great. That's exactly the way I like them. Mechanically sound, but with sufficient imperfections that I don't worry about carrying, shooting, etc. Glad you rescued it. An absolute classic.

 

[Gun Relics]

The red ramp front sight is a pain to fix. The kits that Brownells used to sell are no longer available. There is a youtube video available on it here. (Note: If it loads slow, click on the "Watch on Youtube" tab on the lower left corner.)

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RZvGFHZxeE[/ame]


It's not as easy as Mr. Potterfield makes it look. What you can do is get clear epoxy resin and red dye, make a couple of thin but stiff brass strips coated with release compound or release tape and clamp them to the sides of the sight to form a mold. I use really small vice grips to hold the strips. I mix the resin and hardener with plenty of epoxy dye to make it opaque and let it dry a bit until it thickens. once it's thickened but still fluid, I put in a couple of drops, making sure the level is up to the front of the sight. It's important to have the gun in a stand positioned where the sight is level. Let it cure for a day or two, then shape it with a file or exacto knife. You may have to do it a couple of times to get the best results.

There are other ways, such as solid red epoxy putty, which is easier but the colors are dull compared to the poured resin. Before the final pour I suggest you mix up some small resin/dye batches and let dry overnight until you're happy with the color.

 

[Dino44]

Thanks for the extra advice, Gun Relics. I did find that video last night and have decided to give that method a try. I have already started to look for the chemical components. The roll pin for my front sight is not visible without removing some bluing, and I don't currently have the appropriate tools or work environment to attempt a sight replacement.

 

[Gun Relics]

Thanks for the extra advice, Gun Relics. I did find that video last night and have decided to give that method a try. I have already started to look for the chemical components. The roll pin for my front sight is not visible without removing some bluing, and I don't currently have the appropriate tools or work environment to attempt a sight replacement.

In the process, you're probably going to remove a litle blue anyway. I suggest getting a Presto Gun Blue pen for touch up. They're great for blueing marks and scratches from the files. Since it's a true blueing process, it only darkens the steel - they won't discolor the resin.

 

[Retired W4]

My 6.5" 4 screw 44 Mag has been in and out of a holster more times than the law should allow, but it acts like a new gun. It's twin brother is more of a safe queen that doesn't get out much.

 

[45NUTT]

Great job rescuing those beautiful old gals!!