Found in River!

[MSgt G]

My son's teacher found the single action revolver below underneath a rock in a river. It's about as rusted as it can get. Any ideas as to what it may be? If these old things could talk....

 

[Maximumbob54]

Colt Lightening?

 

[Broker50]

It does resemble a Colt Lightning, or Thunderer.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Just soak it in Kroil, hit it with some Mother's mag polish, and order a new main spring...

 

[redlevel]

I think it is a double action Model 1877.

I would stay away from +P.

 

[Broker50]

Just soak it in Kroil, hit it with some Mother's mag polish, and order a new main spring...

If it was a S&W, you could demand they replace it with a new gun under warranty.

 

[Engineer1911]

Ruger Bisley Blackhawk that was over aged, needs a new main spring.

 

[feralmerril]

It is either a colt lighting (38 colt) or a thunderer (41 colt) 1877 double action. Here is one I used to own. They came with or without the ejector. The other one is bigger, a 1878 double action army in .45 colt. They used SAA barrel, clyinder and ejector.

 

[tom turner]

Looks like a big chunk of rust to me!

I second the suggestion to avoid shooting +P in it!

 

[gregintenn]

Send it to the Colt's Custom Shop and get a quote to restore it.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

Seems like I recall Billy the Kid preferred a Lightning. Was it found in NM?

 

[fiasconva]

Just clean it up a little and save it. That thing should go for about $500 on Gunbroker.

 

[Raider]

Good part is no MIM parts or IL. Soak it in Kroil, clean it up and put it on Gunbroker at $1200.00.

Charlie

 

[Retired LTC USAR]

If you put it on Gunbroker, just be sure to list is as "RARE" in the description and "Like new without box"!!!!

 

[feralmerril]

Seriously, thats a $150 relic. Think about this. All us snobs want unfired 100% guns in the box with all accurments. They have absolutely zero history. This gun has real history!

 

[4011]

If you want to clean it up some and do it cheap. Soak in vinegar for a week. Wash off with soda to kill the vinegar. It will do a number on the rust.

 

[Andy Griffith]

There is a market for relic firearms. Do not in any way try to "restore" or take off the rust- it is so far gone that it will only damage it.

I have a S&W American in the same kind of condition- pulled out of a river.

I would consult or post this in the S&W "antiques" part of the forum- some of the most knowledgeable people in there sometimes never look in the Lounge. They can give advice on the best way to effectively preserve it.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Has a real nice age appropriate patina don't it????

 

[Thuer]

Leave it as it is. There is a real Relic collector world out there. I am not one of them but I do know people who do and love their tressures.
They love the history behind the gun. Dont polish or treat it.

 

[Teddydog]

In car hobbies, we'd say, "That'll buff right out."

Is it loaded? Put it in a shadow box for display.

Rob

 

[2152hq]

Alot of Light'ning owners were probably at the point of tossing their pistol into a river at one time or another.
Fragile, easily damaged mechanism inside those.

Is the loading gate missing?,,not that it makes any difference really,,but it may help to determine if it's unloaded or not.
An X-ray may be the only way to tell on that one though.

I'd leave it 'as-is' for a relic collector to buy if it is unloaded.

Neat find!

 

[mkk41]

Send Doug Turnbull a pic and request a restoration quote!

TurnbullMfg. Co. for firearm restoration of antique guns - antique revolvers, antique pistols - including Winchester rifles, Marlin rifles, Parker shotguns, Colt revolvers, and more

 

[MSgt G]

Thanks for all the replies! I, like some of you, think it may be a Colt Lighting (38 Colt). I'm not sure what my son's teacher has done, or plans to do, with it, but will pass along your suggestions and advice.

 

[G.T. Smith]

I wouldn't try to restore it. Looks like the true relic it is. I have a small collection of knives and one of my favorites is an old Kamp King that I dug up one time under a giant red oak tree. All of the blades are open and rusted all the way through in places.
What difference would it make if it was loaded? Ya'll think that the rounds could still discharge? I don't know, just asking.
stay cool,
gordon

 

[cal50]

Get a tetanus shot before firing.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I actually have three relic old west pistols. They were dug up in several locations in western OK. One was found at an old privy location. (This oughta generate some choice comments!) I think the most I paid for one was $150 for a Merwin and Hulbert. They're sitting on my credenza as paperweights. I say keep it like it is and enjoy it for the time period it represents.

 

[geoff40]

If that thing could talk!

 

[CelticSire]

My son's teacher found the single action revolver below underneath a rock in a river. I

Underneath a rock... Seems a bit odd, almost as if someone was trying to hide it or make sure it wasn't washed up to be found. Any old shootings or murders in the area where a weapon was never located?

 

[Faulkner]

Had it been a Glock you could have just hosed it off and fired it.

 

[DeathGrip]

Underneath a rock... Seems a bit odd, almost as if someone was trying to hide it or make sure it wasn't washed up to be found. Any old shootings or murders in the area where a weapon was never located?

We'll be needing some test.