Just found my first S&W in the garage.

[brownbing]

You guys all have me beat, I don't even have a garage. However if this is the kind of thing you can find I may need to get one.

 

[Leslie Sapp]

Found it in the garage...... I'm speechless except for this:

Do not alter that gun. Oil it, Cherish it. He obviously did.

 

[nawilson]

the 2 colts im assuming you where asking about one has nothing on it but a serial number of 200XX the other has a list of patent dates i think starting with sept 19 1871? and serial number 148XXX

Those Colts could be worth quite a lot, too... If you're not a big gun guy and don't belong to any Colt forums, you could probably post some close ups in the Lounge on this forum. Someone could probably tell you all about them.

 

[vinny77]

I wouldn't do a thing to it. If It was good enough for your father in law, it should stay that way.

 

[Johnnu2]

garage find

Ummmmm exactly WHERE is this garage again.....I must have missed it...!
That post of yours is the things our dreams are made of (don't tell my wife I said that)..............FABULOUS FABULOUS.......my God, I'm gonna be sick.

 

[jmace57]

I really thought this was going to be a sad story when I saw the title. Glad it was a happy ending!

 

[jimmib]

can I use the word "Heirloom" again for the 45 model 1950...that is what it is and I would keep passing it on in the family just like it is...you found a treasure trove in your garage...happy for you and your family

 

[clang444]

Nice find.

You may have to keep looking. The Model of 1950 in .45ACP was never issued in the US Military. There might be an old 1917 or Victory still lying around somewhere.

 

[Marshal Tom]

That gun needs to be lettered. It would be very interesting to see where it came from and if possible, who did the engraving work on it. I would leave it alone as mentioned.

Tom

 

[crsides]

I don't know what to add to all the comments above, but do NOT refinish the cylinder. Also, if there is some rust spots, the best way to remove or abate them is with Kroil (a penetrating oil of the first degree) and a copper scouring pad sold in grocery stores as Chore Boy. Soak the spots with Kroil overnight, then wet the copper pad with Kroil the next day and gently rub the affected areas. The Kroil will soften the rust and the copper is harder than rust but softer than steel. It will not scratch the blue surface like steel wool will. What a find !!!!!

Charlie

Charlie

 

[oberon]

That thing will be a fine BBQ gun.
A real head turner.
You must get a spiffy rig for it, and take it to the BBQ for Sinday best.

 

[fyimo]

Wow, I just ran out into my Garage and all I found was a Bass Boat, Trike Motor Cycle, and ATV but no guns. I must say you are really lucky to find that and hopefully it is very special to you as the Korean War was the worst. What I mean by that as a Vietnam Combat Vet it was not pleasant when we came home but the Korean War Vets were ignored like it never really happened. From a Veteran what you found was a treasure worth more to your family than anything I have in my Garage. You have a piece of forgotten history that involved your family so Keep it and tell everyone in your family his story.

 

[model70hunter]

For Korea it probably was a 1911, keep looking, it's probably in the glove box of the 53 Corvette.

 

[Muley Gil]

Depending on when it was shipped from the factory, it is possible that this was a private purchase revolver that went to Korea.

 

[Ranger514]

Classic Carry Holsters.

Great find! Dress her up with some quality leather, and show her off.

 

[Electraclyde]

Looked in my garage, found 2 very dirty, salt covered cars, 1 very dusty Harley, a neat and tidy reloading bench, but no guns.
Will look again in the morning.

 

[Green Frog]

That's what I've been doing wrong all these years, I don't have a garage! Congrats on a great find!

Froggie

 

[OldDominion]

My garage? Two Dillon 550s, brass, primers, 1 old cat, and lots and lots of stinkbugs.

 

[Old TexMex]

Tell me it was under the Duesenberg. Please...
Beautiful revolver, welcome here to the finest S&W forum.

 

[nawilson]

While you recover from the sound of several dozen jaws hitting their desks...

It's a .45 Military model of 1950, likely shipped in late 1953 to early 1954 by the serial number. Be sure to put a light coating of oil on the metal and (I think?) olive oil on the stocks. Someone here will correct me on the latter comment if I am wrong. Glad to see you found it.

It is unlikely that this revolver saw action in the Korean War then because the armistace was signed in July of 1953. That doesn't lessen the heirloom value then. Enjoy it! I wouldn't refinsh the cylinder.

 

[Frank46]

Checked my garage and only found mouse poop. Frank

 

[Hustong]

Searched the garage some more later today nothing else turned up sadly, cant find that '53 or the Duesenberg.

I was surprised as all of you the condition it is in believe me this is a treasured Heirloom for my wife's side of the family and will have to go to one of the step kids when they get old enough.

My wife thinks it was her dads service pistol, i do remember us finding Army issued holster and other stuff for it in a original 1950 box so maybe he did purchase it for him self took it to war and got it spiffed up over there, the ivory handles scream Chinese or Korean influence but they could have been done anywhere.

 

[olskool]

any light rust can be taken off with kroil and oooo BRASS wool.

 

[old&slow]

you, you, you found that in your garage?

The only good thing I find in my garage is a fridge full of beer


the ivory is awesome and the engraving on the 1950 Military is pretty nice too, but I agree with Alex, that plum cylinder has got to be fixed

410 fixed it for you

Holy ****, you you you found that in your garage ??
The only thing I find in my garage is a fridge, without a full beer.

 

[BearBio]

The second down on the left appears to be an 1877 Colt. Check the barrel: if it says "38 Colt" it is a Lightning and if it says "41 Colt", it is a Thunderer. If it says "32", it is a Rainmaker and likely worth more than your house!

The "Tok" in the lower left corner likely would be a war trophy. I think the one to the right of that is a Nagant, also likely a war trophy.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Inspiring. I just spent hours tearing up my garage. All I found is allot of stuff that needs fixing. :-(

 

[BearBio]

The second down on the left appears to be an 1877 Colt. Check the barrel: if it says "38 Colt" it is a Lightning and if it says "41 Colt", it is a Thunderer. If it says "32", it is a Rainmaker and likely worth more than your house!

The "Tok" in the lower left corner likely would be a war trophy. I think the one to the right of that is a Nagant, also likely a war trophy.

Forgot to add: If the Colt functions in both SA and DA, timing is good and grips good, likely worth $1000-$1500.

 

[bigl1911]

Nice.... Good Garage!!!

 

[snubbyfan]

Honestly i had been looking for the gun before in the attic we thought i was around some where but had no idea where, and oddly enough my wife does not remember it looking like that, I told her it was highly unlikely that it turned into that sitting in a box

It was in a no discripted box, in side a plastic bag, her father must have taken good care of it, it still had some oil on the cylinder and around it, there is a tad bit of rust but im pretty sure i can clean that up.

O ya on the subject of finding stuff im not sure i even want to mention this but i did find these with it ><

Now you're just braggin'. The only thing I stumble across in my garage is my own 2 feet.

 

[bedbugbilly]

I shot a big ol' raccoon in the barn once with a S & W . . does that count?

Congrats on your find! What a great piece of family history to have and what else can be said but "awesome find"! Glad you located it . . . now promos you'll keep it in the family and pass it down to the next generation!