Keepsake restoration recommendations please

[TimRucker]

I have a keepsake K-38 Masterpiece circa 1952-1954 that was handed down to me from my Dad. I has quite a bit of wear to the bluing and the end of the barrel only because of years in the holster. Only about one hundred rounds have been run through it.
I'm not sure if I just want to leave it as is for display, or to have it refinished and restored. These are such great shooters, it seems a shame to retire it. But if I'm going to do any serious shooting, I'd feel better having a good gunsmith go through it.
So, should I retire it or refinish and use?
If I restore it, who is the best gunsmith to trust with this family heirloom?

 

[TimRucker]

I have a keepsake K-38 Masterpiece circa 1952-1954 that was handed down to me from my Dad. I has quite a bit of wear to the bluing and the end of the barrel only because of years in the holster. Only about one hundred rounds have been run through it.
I'm not sure if I just want to leave it as is for display, or to have it refinished and restored. These are such great shooters, it seems a shame to retire it. But if I'm going to do any serious shooting, I'd feel better having a good gunsmith go through it.
So, should I retire it or refinish and use?
If I restore it, who is the best gunsmith to trust with this family heirloom?

 

[VM]

I'm sure Jeremy will chime in. His Dad's 14 could be a Brother to yours. [would that make you cousin's?

] His story is similar to yours and he made his look real PURDY.
You have to make up your own mind based on what you're going to do with it
Good Luck

 

[Gunhacker]

This gets debated quite a bit... one school of thought is leave it along, the "wear & tear" is part of the gun's life and are signs of how well it served your Father.

The other of course is to have it refinished so it looks new, but in doing so will dimish it's value as a collectible S&W... the K-38's from the 50's have been steadily climbing in value.

But since this is heirloom, you're probably going to keep it and are not interested whether or not it's value as a vintage S&W in the collector market will be affected by a refinish.

Hands down IMHO for refinishing, Ford's (http://www.fordsguns.com/) is the place to send it.

As VM says... it's your choice. My 2 cents worth is, if it were mine, I'd leave it alone and that's what I did with the gun my Dad left me.

For me, the signs of wear are more of a reminder of my Dad (having his "marks" on it) than something bright and looking like new showing no wear, as if he never existed.

Either way, I'd shoot it... a living memorial to your Dad.

Yeah... sometimes I'm just a sentimental old fart when it comes to certain things.

 

[s&wchad]

Send the gun to S&W for a cleaning and inspection. You can always have it restored, but it can never be undone, so why not leave it original for now. Shoot the heck out of it and think of your dad.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

I vote for leaving it as is.....the wear is part of the charm of such a keepsake. JMHO

 

[flop-shank]

Spend the refinishing money on ammo and cleaning supplies.

 

[diamonback68]

Leave it as it is, it's the way your dad left it. Polishing and re-finishing will remove all memories of him and all you end up with is a nicer looking gun.

 

[Plottman Pops]

Leave it as it is IMHO

 

[Trouthunter]

I have to agree with those who say, "leave it as he left it."

That revolver has character and it was given to it by your Dad.

TH

 

[duckloads]

I would like to chime in. In the end my opinion id worth nothing.

The wear and tear on the weapon is part of your father's history. It tells part of your father's life. It is part of him.


...but that's just me.

 

[boneman]

I would leave it, the way dad gave it to you, is the way it should stay. Shoot it and enjoy it! But like I said on another post, I'm diseased, but I've learned to live with it. Thanks for your time. Larry

 

[TimRucker]

Alright guys, the nays have it. And I agree. I remember many elk hunts with that old gun on my Dad's hip. I'd hate to tarnish that image.

As s&wchad suggested, I think I'll send the gun to S&W for a cleaning and inspection just in case there are some hidden problems.

It is the sweetest shooter I've ever handled. I just have to be careful not to mix up my +P ammo and shoot that in this K-38. From what I've read in this forum, it doesn't seem that these old guns are quite up to those higher pressure loads.

Any suggestions on the best ammo to run 100 of through it on a sunny afternoon?

 

[BlindJustice]

Just my .02 and what I would do with a keepsake that I don't care about collector
value. I'd have a professional photographer
take several pictures, and select one that sowns the gun as you got it - get it framed

THen I'd do my research - perhaps some of the gun smiths recommended would be the choice but have it restored enough so you can enjoy it the
way your father did putting your touch to it, as it will be passed on right? Do you have any pics of your father holding the gun or shooting it?

I inherited an uncle's Elk gun, a bolt action
It doesn't need restoring just a professional cleanup - as men age sometimes the firearms are
set aside and aren't looked after. I won't change the scope on this bolt action - that's his scope he took elk with - I have a nephew who is a hunter who could use it. He might even get it passed to him some day. I'll loan it to him in the meantime.

 

[pbslinger]

Best ammo is full wadcutter match 38 special usually 148 grain hollow base bullet.

 

[Mickey D]

Enough said above...let it as is.

Mike

 

[TimRucker]

Originally posted by BlindJustice:
Just my .02 and what I would do with a keepsake that I don't care about collector
value. I'd have a professional photographer
take several pictures, and select one that sowns the gun as you got it - get it framed

Great idea. I think I'll send for a "Letter of Authenticity" to accompany the pictures as well.

Originally posted by BlindJustice:
Then I'd do my research - perhaps some of the gun smiths recommended would be the choice but have it restored enough so you can enjoy it the
way your father did putting your touch to it, as it will be passed on right? Do you have any pics of your father holding the gun or shooting it?

You know, the old man is still kicking. I think I'll have him do some firing when I take him up hunting this year and get some pictures. That sure would be nice to hand down to my grandchildren.

Originally posted by BlindJustice:
I inherited an uncle's Elk gun, a bolt action
It doesn't need restoring just a professional cleanup - as men age sometimes the firearms are
set aside and aren't looked after. I won't change the scope on this bolt action - that's his scope he took elk with - I have a nephew who is a hunter who could use it. He might even get it passed to him some day. I'll loan it to him in the meantime.

Yeah BlindJustice, I'd leave the scope too. If it helped your uncle to bag an elk, it will probably serve your nephew and you just fine.

 

[glypnir]

Leave it the way it is and continue to use it. Well cared for Smiths age a whole lot slower than people do.