acl864
Member
It'll be interesting to hear what the police say. I'd be surprised if they let you keep the gun whether it is stolen or not. If they do let you, restoring it would be a long shot but it sure would be fun to try.
Found old .357 S&W w/Pachmayr grips in back yard.
- Thread starter Lordbobby
- Start date
sheriffoconee
Member
yeah, let us know what the cops say.....interesting, now I gotta go walk around in my yard some more....
.32 Double Action top break, fourth model, produced 1883-1909.Serial numbers run from 43406 to 282999. (Credit to Roy Jinks, History of Smith & Wesson). You know it is not a first, second, or third model from the shape of the trigger guard. You know it is not the fifth model because the front sight on this gun is pinned, and on the fifth model it is integral with the barrel.
This thread is funny. People stating exactly what model it is, then someone else stating another model. It is obviously made after such and such so it's not P & R, then it's obviously P & R. It's beyond repair, then send it back and have it refinished. How can people see all this just from a couple of photos? According to the posters comment about markings, it seems to be a M 28.
I do agree that it is sad that the revolver got into this condition. But, maybe the finder will get to keep it and transform it into a shooter. I hope this is what happens.
I do agree that it is sad that the revolver got into this condition. But, maybe the finder will get to keep it and transform it into a shooter. I hope this is what happens.
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Looks like a 4 inch Model 28 to me.
usmcgunny0369
Member
After looking at the new photos, I believe that gun just might be salveagable. Probably be pitted but could be made operable. Cost effective to do so.... I don't know.
The Last Standing Knight
Member
When I saw the pics of this revolver, it made me sick to my stomach and cringe like fingernails on a chalkboard.
It looks just like my own M28-2, only my goodyears don't have the fingergrooves. I treat it (like all my firearms) as if my life depended on it...well cleaned, well maintained, and well fed.
I hope it is salvageable, if returned by the cops. I hate to see a classic old piece like this.
It looks just like my own M28-2, only my goodyears don't have the fingergrooves. I treat it (like all my firearms) as if my life depended on it...well cleaned, well maintained, and well fed.
I hope it is salvageable, if returned by the cops. I hate to see a classic old piece like this.
Art Doc
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
The gun is clearly a Highway Patrolman (model 28) but the exact model and vintage requires the serial and checking the frame for a model number.
slowburninsteve
Member
Buy Stainless!!
Just another reason to .........buy Stainless!!!!!!
Steve
Just another reason to .........buy Stainless!!!!!!
Steve
fat tom
Absent Comrade
DOEBOY1
Member
I would bet it was an under the seat truck gun. Probably lived a life of being kicked around on the floor of the truck and then back under the seat and forgotten. Someone probably pulled a truck up got out did whatever but when they got back in probably kicked the gun into the grass and drove off. If i had to guess probably didn't miss it until weeks or months later and then didn't have a clue where to even start to looking for it. Likely no crime commited with it because of the holster that it was in. who would put it back in a holster after a crime and then dump it or who would have it in a holster with the intent of comminting a crime. i think the holster was used because of the need to protect it from the dirt but not neccessarily being carried. i have seen several truck guns and this is the cheap holster that thay are usually in. I think it was a working gun used like a hammer or any other tool. I know where several working guns are in vehicles that i would like to clean up and put up. just my opinion take it for what it cost you. hope you can clean it up i would definitly try it if the inside of the cylinders were not pitted. i bought a colt trooper mark v that on one side got wet and pitted the inside of the barrel cut the barrel down 11 degree target crown reparkerized and cleaned up only to find the pitting on the inside of the cylinder allowed the casing to swell up and would not come out. I paid my tuition on that gun couldneven look at in the safe. when i got rid of it i got about half what i had in it and told the buyer he had the same look in his eye about fixing it up just like i did only difference was he new when he bought it that the cylinder was pitted and what would happen. good luck and show lots of pictures. Doeboy
The deputy-sheriff T. Gordon came by and picked the gun up today. He said that it was real strange as well. He said he would have to guess it was one of three possibilities:
1.) Was involved in a crime and the guy got scared and dropped it/tried to dispose of it.
2.) Was stolen and dropped/thrown there.*
3.) Some guy buys a gun for protection or some other use. The guys wife finds it and gets mad and throws it away. Said it has happened before.
* We told him we talked with a neighbor about the gun and that neighbor said the guy living beside him was broke into about 5-6 years ago. He had a bunch of guns stole, but did not know if a pistol was stolen. So it could possibly be from that.
Gordon wasn't sure of the details on what they do in these cases, but said the CSI unit would probably soak it and try to get the rust to loosen up first. If the serial numbers are too hard to read, they have a way of grinding the rust off and using a type of acid to get them to show up. He went in to more details, but I forgot them, sorry.
He said this was new to him. He had to call it in and ask what to do. No one has ever found a rusted out gun fully loaded like that. He wasn't sure what to do with it. The people at the sheriff's office told him to try and see if he could unload it, but there was no way to open it because of the rust. So he just put it in the back seat of his car and hoped it wouldn't go off or explode lol. He said maybe the metal between the seats would protect him if it did
.
We asked him about the possibility of getting it returned to us. He said it would be up to what they find out about the gun. Then it would be up to whoever gets the case whether we can have it back or not. Or if the gun is registered and they can find the owner.
He was really nice and friendly. He was just as curious as we were about how it got there. He left us his card and a case number so that we can get info on what they find. I will let everyone know if we get any kind of update.
1.) Was involved in a crime and the guy got scared and dropped it/tried to dispose of it.
2.) Was stolen and dropped/thrown there.*
3.) Some guy buys a gun for protection or some other use. The guys wife finds it and gets mad and throws it away. Said it has happened before.
* We told him we talked with a neighbor about the gun and that neighbor said the guy living beside him was broke into about 5-6 years ago. He had a bunch of guns stole, but did not know if a pistol was stolen. So it could possibly be from that.
Gordon wasn't sure of the details on what they do in these cases, but said the CSI unit would probably soak it and try to get the rust to loosen up first. If the serial numbers are too hard to read, they have a way of grinding the rust off and using a type of acid to get them to show up. He went in to more details, but I forgot them, sorry.
He said this was new to him. He had to call it in and ask what to do. No one has ever found a rusted out gun fully loaded like that. He wasn't sure what to do with it. The people at the sheriff's office told him to try and see if he could unload it, but there was no way to open it because of the rust. So he just put it in the back seat of his car and hoped it wouldn't go off or explode lol. He said maybe the metal between the seats would protect him if it did
.We asked him about the possibility of getting it returned to us. He said it would be up to what they find out about the gun. Then it would be up to whoever gets the case whether we can have it back or not. Or if the gun is registered and they can find the owner.
He was really nice and friendly. He was just as curious as we were about how it got there. He left us his card and a case number so that we can get info on what they find. I will let everyone know if we get any kind of update.
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mariodesmo
Member
I would think that it is yours unless it is identified as stolen or identified as used in a crime, or not registered. And since you found it on your property, I would further assume that you are the rightful owner assuming it is free and clear. I would inform the desk jocky that I want it returned assuming it is free and clear of anything. Unless there is a lawful reason for the police to keep it, I think it should be returned.
If you do get it back, soak it in PB BLaster to free up the rust and get those rounds out of there.
If you do get it back, soak it in PB BLaster to free up the rust and get those rounds out of there.
Pistolpete1969
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Why cant I find nice old S&W's in MY backyard...rusty of not?
Very interesting S&W. Hopefully th OP will be able to tell us exactly what it is.
I tried sharpening up the pictures. I still can't see any sign of it being a model 28? Maybe a model 29?
See post # 16.
I too wonder if it was tossed there sometime back after being used for something illegal. The cops will send it to a lab somewhere (either ATF or state crime lab) and they'll be able to determine the serial number, in which case the rightful owner should, and will most likely get first right of refusal, not the finder. It would be nice to know the history of where the gun came from, but that may take a year or more to determine.
There was a similar posting on another forum recently. A guy found a gun (it was an older one) in his field and turned it in. The police gave it back to him shortly and told him he could keep it. Nothing turned up and because it was older, they told him if a crime was committed with the gun, it was a long time ago.
Funny thing, that gun was loaded too but two shots were fired.
Some of the guys on that post suggested soaking the gun in diesel fuel. Probably want to take the grips off first.
I would definetly tell the police that you want it back if it wasn't used in a crime. Great conversation piece.
Funny thing, that gun was loaded too but two shots were fired.
Some of the guys on that post suggested soaking the gun in diesel fuel. Probably want to take the grips off first.
I would definetly tell the police that you want it back if it wasn't used in a crime. Great conversation piece.
