Loss of blue on ejector rod on Model 17-4

[Kings over Queens]

Hello Forum.

I've got an S&W Model 17-4 with the serial number 93K3835 that where the bluing is gone from the ejector pin, and I'm looking for an possible explaination.

First, some history about the gun. As best I can tell it was bought new in 1981 and to the best of my knowledge has never been fired. The gun exhibits a turn line that can only be explained by a young boy (me, then) turning it when I was allowed to fondle and imagine shooting it. There is no doubt however that the gun was never fired by me, or my father who originally purchased it. I must allow for the possibility that the gun was not purchased NEW and that if that is the case then the possibility exists that the gun was fired by a previous owner.

In any event, I'm told that the ejector pin on this gun should be blued, and the fact that it isn't is puzzling to me, and negatively affects the value. I plan on selling the gun but before doing so am interested in nailing down the history.

I'm not a revolver guy (LOVE MY M&P PRO 9 and M&P 22) and so this gun and a model 10 that I also acquired from my father must go.

If anyone can help explain why the bluing is gone, or any other history on the gun, it would be very much appreciated.

The lighting today sucks, and so does my camera, but here are some images.

Thanks in advance.

(edited to correct pin to rod)

 

[Camster]

I'm seeing normal wear for a gun that ejected it's share of brass.A gun can remain perfect otherwise,but this one part will lose blue.

 

[Kings over Queens]

One thing for certain with this gun is that is hasn't been fired in the 32 years it's been in my family, which now raises the question of whether or not it was new when it was purchased. I've asked my Dad to check the permit (NJ has a permit to purchase system) from when the gun was purchased.

Does bluing disappear over time with no use? It's been in a box wrapped in paper for 32 years.

 

[Kings over Queens]

By the way, thank you for the reply. I appreciate it.

 

[Alk8944]

"The gun exhibits a turn line that can only be explained by a young boy (me, then) turning it when I was allowed to fondle and imagine shooting it."

What you are asking about is the extractor rod, the extractor pin(s) are something else.

No, bluing does not disappear from dis-use. If it did the entire gun would be bare, wouldn't it?

When you were "pretending to shoot it" did this possibly include dry-firing and swinging the cylinder out to "pretend to extract cases"? The loss of finish is common, if the gun was Nickled the plating would be missing. This is a result of simply pushing the extractor numerous times, the gun does not need to be fired to cause this.

BTW the SN dates the gun to early 1981.

 

[H Richard]

Bluing does not just disappear over time, but the ejector rod is the first place a revolver will show any wear. It doesn't take too many cylinderfulls of empties being ejected to wear the blue off. Nice looking gun, I have one just like it and it is a joy to shoot.

 

[rog8732]

These other guys put up enough replies about your question.

I want to approach you on another matter, and that is your decision to get rid of your guns received from your father. ( Provided they are legal for you to have).
I am not about to "preach" you any sermon on that matter, but I let one of my Dads gun gifts get away from me when I was much younger, and I cannot count the times I have hated my decision now that he is long gone......Not trying to bring a tear, but it won't hurt to give it a good thought or two.

On the other hand, both of those models are still very desirable, and this forum has a for sale sub-forum. Thanks

 

[Kings over Queens]

[/I]What you are asking about is the extractor rod, the extractor pin(s) are something else.

No, bluing does not disappear from dis-use. If it did the entire gun would be bare, wouldn't it?

When you were "pretending to shoot it" did this possibly include dry-firing and swinging the cylinder out to "pretend to extract cases"? The loss of finish is common, if the gun was Nickled the plating would be missing. This is a result of simply pushing the extractor numerous times, the gun does not need to be fired to cause this.

BTW the SN dates the gun to early 1981.

Extractor rod...thanks. I'm not all that well versed in revolvers.

I don't recall dry firing that gun. We're talking about the 1980's and at that time dry firing was verbotten. Truth told I'd forgotten that he even had this gun and so when he told me about it I honestly had no recollection. The Colt Trooper 357 I remembered but not the 22, nor the Model 10.

I'm relieved to hear that the loss of finish is common, and thanks for participating in my thread and sharing your knowledge.

 

[Kings over Queens]

These other guys put up enough replies about your question.

I want to approach you on another matter, and that is your decision to get rid of your guns received from your father. ( Provided they are legal for you to have).
I am not about to "preach" you any sermon on that matter, but I let one of my Dads gun gifts get away from me when I was much younger, and I cannot count the times I have hated my decision now that he is long gone......Not trying to bring a tear, but it won't hurt to give it a good thought or two.

On the other hand, both of those models are still very desirable, and this forum has a for sale sub-forum. Thanks

Thank you.

A little more history.

My Dad went through a divorce around the time he purchased this gun, and others. He thought doing so would make him happy but only further deepened his depression. This gun and a half of dozen others were purchased and never fired. He's also got a 30 Cal carbine that was purchased MILSURP right out of the box in the early 60's. NEVER FIRED.

He recently asked me to help him sell these guns because he needs the money. They aren't gift guns, and if they were, I'd 100% agree with you. I'm not interested in purchasing them and if I did I'd have pay him, one because of my own moral compass, but what's more, because he needs the money. I simply don't have the extra money to hand over for guns that I really aren't interested in keeping.

Yesterday my son, 16, and I took the C Prefix 38 (hasn't been fire din at least 32 years) to the range to shoot and see if that might be a gun to keep, and it wasn't. We're spoiled with semi-auto's and simply didn't enjoy shooting the wheel gun.

I am going to keep his Savage Super Sport 30-06 and still have the Remington 1100 he bought (for me) then, and I shoot that all the time. The other stuff just doesn't fit our shooting styles and he needs the money more than I need the nostalgia.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on the subject. Thanks.

 

[Kings over Queens]

OK, so in the time it took to start this thread I remembered that NJ Permits have a New or Used section. My Father checked the permit and the gun is in fact used, and so that would explain the loss of blue as well as the turn line. See Dad...it wasn't ME. :laugh:

Now I have to go back an apologize to all the people who I disagreed with when they said the gun's been fired.

Thanks to all who participated.

 

[jtcarm]

Looks just like all my blued guns that have been shot regularly.

Oh , wait, that's all if then;-)


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