Model 1? with Gutta Percha case
- Thread starter cbjordan76
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mmaher94087
Member
Don's mold of the Custer case is/was of the Stand of Flags case. This case is the Pistol case.
mmaher94087
Member
Don should be able to repair the Pistol case. Give him a call.
Gary, I wasn't expressing my own opinion, but just saying how things go here.
For example, during the war French-Prussian war of 1870, France bought a certain number of American guns and, as was the tradition for French military arms at the time, all this guns were de-blued.
As a consequence, it is now still possible to acquire an unfired Remington New Army revolver for a rather low price.
I acquired one of these and had it re-blued...
Skeetr57
Member
All model 1 S&W revolvers had silver plated frames with blued barrels and cylinders as standard.
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Sorry I'm late to the party, but I always invite myself when Model 1's are involved.
As others have said, this is a remarkably well preserved Model 1, 2nd Issue. Based on my database, serial number 84xxx would have shipped somewhere in the vicinity of January or February 1866. This is almost irrefutably the original finish; sterling silver plating on the brass frame, and a bright blue finish on the cylinder and barrel. Other than a light oiling or working with Renwax, please don't do anything else to the gun. It's perfect.
The case is rough, but even in this condition It'd fetch at least $500 in its present condition (and by that, I mean that I'd stroke a check right now for $500 for it). The broken and missing pieces are problematic, but I'd want to hold it in my hands to decide whether or not it's a candidate for restoration. If not, I'd give it a very gentle cleaning and display it as is. The green velvet appears to be all (mostly?) there.
It is worth noting that this is probably not the original gun that came in this box; the gun is about 5 years too late for the box. But, it looks great in there, so I'd just leave it and enjoy it.
As for restored versus original: I'd approach this box with the mindset of wanting to curate it for future generations to enjoy. If at all possible I'd leave it as is, since it will only ever be "original" once and once that's gone, it's gone forever. But if there's enough cracking that the structural integrity appears to be seriously compromised, then I'd consider having it restored, or at least repaired enough to stabilize it.
Mike
As others have said, this is a remarkably well preserved Model 1, 2nd Issue. Based on my database, serial number 84xxx would have shipped somewhere in the vicinity of January or February 1866. This is almost irrefutably the original finish; sterling silver plating on the brass frame, and a bright blue finish on the cylinder and barrel. Other than a light oiling or working with Renwax, please don't do anything else to the gun. It's perfect.
The case is rough, but even in this condition It'd fetch at least $500 in its present condition (and by that, I mean that I'd stroke a check right now for $500 for it). The broken and missing pieces are problematic, but I'd want to hold it in my hands to decide whether or not it's a candidate for restoration. If not, I'd give it a very gentle cleaning and display it as is. The green velvet appears to be all (mostly?) there.
It is worth noting that this is probably not the original gun that came in this box; the gun is about 5 years too late for the box. But, it looks great in there, so I'd just leave it and enjoy it.
As for restored versus original: I'd approach this box with the mindset of wanting to curate it for future generations to enjoy. If at all possible I'd leave it as is, since it will only ever be "original" once and once that's gone, it's gone forever. But if there's enough cracking that the structural integrity appears to be seriously compromised, then I'd consider having it restored, or at least repaired enough to stabilize it.
Mike
Hello Mike from LA, Im glad you showed up. Why must these guys restore everything. Its original one time, as you said.
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Thanks. I try to approach these things from the perspective of a professional archivist, who is primarily concerned with preserving things as they are, knowing that even the wear and tear has a story to tell.
Restoration is *always* an option, but once a gun has lost its originality, it's gone forever. That, in my opinion, is a huge loss.
I know that in the 1970's, over-restored guns were a fad and all sorts of damage was done to make things bright and sparkly. Legitimate "survivors" of this need to be left alone ... because the number of truly original guns will only ever go down.
Mike
I just have to comment:
I think I understand positions mentioned on this post. I too am torn by this wonderful piece of history....but Hey.....We aren't archeologists here. We are collectors. "We" drive the market...Without us this fine antique would end up in the trash from gun haters and those who don't care about antique items.... They see them as old junk...(scary but true)
What I have found in my experience is that the vast majority of collectors abide by one specific rule. "What's it worth"???? That is what drives our motivation to purchase, to sell, to in fact, collect. I personally believe its a discipline. Not unlike investing in anything.
When you sit folks down and talk in depth about the history of a specific factory or individual or even an antique item....I'd say half the room falls asleep. All they want to know is "What's my collectable worth"?? Followed by about a 3 second attention span.
In keeping with this specific subject, the sole purpose of even considering refurbishing this wonderful case is to???? Increase it's value.. am I wrong here? The concern being value loss if the case is poorly refurbished.... It's not a sin to tell the truth here....It's all about the money folks.
Murph
I think I understand positions mentioned on this post. I too am torn by this wonderful piece of history....but Hey.....We aren't archeologists here. We are collectors. "We" drive the market...Without us this fine antique would end up in the trash from gun haters and those who don't care about antique items.... They see them as old junk...(scary but true)
What I have found in my experience is that the vast majority of collectors abide by one specific rule. "What's it worth"???? That is what drives our motivation to purchase, to sell, to in fact, collect. I personally believe its a discipline. Not unlike investing in anything.
When you sit folks down and talk in depth about the history of a specific factory or individual or even an antique item....I'd say half the room falls asleep. All they want to know is "What's my collectable worth"?? Followed by about a 3 second attention span.
In keeping with this specific subject, the sole purpose of even considering refurbishing this wonderful case is to???? Increase it's value.. am I wrong here? The concern being value loss if the case is poorly refurbished.... It's not a sin to tell the truth here....It's all about the money folks.
Murph
