Found Pre 21, lots of questions, pic heavy

[quinn]

Son, Scot (SAFireman) was browsing a site I rarely visit and called me on this pre 21 (he has an aversion to any revolver with longer than 4" barrel). Long story short, this followed me home late last night. I believe it has been refinished, no idea what happened to the side plate. The grips are unnumbered but not likely original to the gun (should have had magnas, I believe). Lockup up and action are lovely. Bore is excellent. SN would put it about 1956. Would appreciate any observations or recommendations. Thanks.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Look refinished to me and those stocks are Cokes.

 

[quinn]

More photos

of Pre 21 with questions

 

[quinn]

Still more

hope I'm not boring anyone.

 

[murphydog]

I agree, something happened to what appears to be the original sideplate and someone removed the finish. An experienced refinisher may be able to match the original blue.

It likely came with Magna stocks but these may have been special ordered; a factory letter would tell you.

I like it . Enjoy!

 

[410bore]

The Cokes look nice! I'm not sure if its been refinished though. It just looks like a lot of honest wear. Sideplate finish loss is odd but could be a replacement sideplate?

 

[JayCeeNC]

It doesn't look refinished to me.
Probably had some rust on the sideplate and the owner removed it by a fierce scrubbing with steel wool.
The grips are worth $300-$400 in today's market.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Now that I see the rest of the close up's I am rethinking my refinish opinion.

 

[jsfricks]

The lettering on the left side of barrel (Smith & Wesson) looks over polished, but I'm not sure if it is a refinish. Nice cokes though!

 

[Old TexMex]

That's a heck of a nice 44, good work on your sons part, huh?

My guess would be the sideplate was off and got messed up,

 

[1Aspenhill]

the fit of the sideplate looks too good to be a replacement and you can tell if the assy number under the sideplate matches the number on the frame.

 

[rct269]

[QUOTE An experienced refinisher may be able to match the original blue.[/QUOTE]

Once upon a time, when I was talking instead of listening, I came into possession of a truly fine blue N frame 44 Target. It turned out everything was truly fine except for the cylinder. It had a horrible turn line which had been "touched up" with cold blue. AAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!

I called an experienced refinisher----Turnbull. "Can you refinish a cylinder to match the rest of the gun?" "Sure, send it on in." I was going to be in the neighborhood sooner rather than later, so I didn't send it in---I took it in.

"Can you refinish this cylinder to match the rest of the gun?" "NO!" "Well, I called, and you said you could." "Who'd you talk to?" (Good question!)

He continued. (He, by the way, was THE MAN in charge of refinishing.) "Bluing is a living thing-----it reacts to its environment. This gun is 50-60 years old. The finish is perfect----but it's not the same as it was 50-60 years ago. We could do that cylinder fifty times, varying things a little each time---and IF we got lucky, we could match the gun two times out of fifty tries----how do you like those odds?" "Not hardly!"

I sold the gun---ending up sadder but wiser. (Actually, I sent the gun back to the factory. They refinished the entire gun. Then I sold it----ending up at least wiser---but not hardly sad at all.)

Ralph Tremaine

 

[beagleye]

That's a beauty and I don't think it's refinished. I wouldn't sweat that side plate for one second. A little finish issue just isn't relevant to such an awesome gun. Possible the perfect revolver.

 

[SDH]

I think I saw that gun on GB a couple of weeks ago with a $1200 Buy it Now tag? It sold while I was contemplating…

 

[lowhog]

I would be happy to buy those grips off you. I have a pre 29 that needs a set.

 

[A10]

I'll go lowhog one better...I have a real nice set of period correct unnumbered diamond magnas I'd swap right straight up for them!

 

[lowhog]

Those cokes are worth more than a set of postwar magna's.

 

[A10]

Those cokes are worth more than a set of postwar magna's.

Yeah.....I might be willing to kick in a little....

Truth be told, hang on to them. They really feel nice in the hand and add interest to the gun!

 

[lawandorder]

Randy I don't think you could bore any of us by sharing photos of a good old .44 Special.

Congrats on a neat find.

 

[rposton]

info on "Cokes" please

New member here. I keep seeing references to "Coke" stocks and they being worth around $ 400 per set. They look like some I have on a couple of my smiths. Just what are they and why so loved and valued?