Model 56 With Letter...What should I do?

[oldmcdonald]

This gun has been in my collection for a while, and I'm looking for some advice. It is a genuine, lettered Model 56, with matching numbered grips and "U.S." stamped on the back strap. I am told that there are approximately 60 documented examples in private collections, with most having been destroyed by the U.S. Air Force. The gun is original throughout. The problem is that it is lightly pitted from improper storage somewhere along the line. I have tried to remove the pits with oil and fine steel wool, brass wool, & a brass brush, all with no luck. My questions are as follows:
1. Is there another effective way to remove the pits without damaging the finish?
2. Will the pits multiply and get worse if I do nothing?
3. Should I have the gun restored & if so, by whom?
4. If I decide to sell as is, what should I expect to get?
Your insight and comments will be appreciated.

 

[murphydog]

I'd leave it alone, as you cannot easily restore metal damage short of a full refinish (and you only have the original finish once). A nice coat of Renaissance Wax (and proper storage) will keep it in its current condition, which is not too bad in the spectrum of military issued sidearms.

I would guess it is worth somewhere in the mid-four figure range but the real experts will be along with a more specific estimate.

 

[GB]

Nothing you can do will restore the finish. Keep it oiled and properly stored and it will not get worse. Refinish will cut the value by many % + the cost of refinish.
The condition of the gun is obviously a serious problem, in your mind. If it were mine, and it bothered me as much as it bothers you, I would put it on the market and make it go away. A rare gun with paperwork and what appears to be very minor finish issue = fast sale at high price and all but those who want to beat the price down will walk away with a happy face.

Don't overthink this. From your pics. the finish issue is minor, in my opinion.

 

[Doc44]

Leave the Model 56 as it is. If you have it refinished the collector value will be reduced significantly. As GB stated, if the finish is really an issue for you, put the revolver on the market. A Model 56 in 90 percent condition would be valued at $5,000, one at 98 percent at $6,500. Using these values may help you estimate the value your Model 56.

Bill

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

DON'T TOUCH IT!

 

[Bajadoc]

Don't mess with it. Wax it and sell it on an auction site. It is worth whatever the high bid is.

 

[bananaman]

It is cool! It is what it is! NOTHING WILL MAKE IT NEW AGAIN! Enjoy what you have! Bob

 

[hardcase60]

I wouldn't rub on it anymore with anything containing the word "wool" in it. Remove the stocks, then take the cylinder and thumb latch off. Rub everything down with your favorite flavor of alcohol (denatured, lacquer thinner, etc). Let dry. Wipe down with a soft cotton cloth. I use white museum gloves. With more soft cotton cloths apply your favorite wax. Most use Ren Wax or the old Johnson's Paste Wax. Buff out then repeat wax, buff, wax, buff. I put the gloves back on for the third buff. Won't leave any oil off your hands or finger prints. When finished sell to me for $500.00. Let the pitting be my problem. Okay, $575.00 with the letter. Good luck to you sir. hardcase60

 

[S.B.]

As others have stated, just enjoy it as is.
Steve

 

[mod29]

The gun is original throughout. The problem is that it is lightly pitted from improper storage somewhere along the line. I have tried to remove the pits with oil and fine steel wool, brass wool, & a brass brush, all with no luck.

Do the photos reflect current condition, after you have tried to remove the pitting?
Hopefully that's the case, as I'm not seeing any damage from your efforts in those photos.
As others have mentioned, stop doing that!
The original finish, even if it's not perfect, is worth a LOT more.

Generally, when someone tries to 'fix' a finish issue, they ruin the original finish and the value of the gun drops significantly.

I would be tempted to shoot that one occasionally.

Clean it carefully, lightly oil and admire.
That is a very cool revolver!

 

[lebomm]

OK, one more time; Don't try to fix it. You can't. All-original, even if imperfect, is a sight more valuable than refinished ! Clean it, wax it, shoot it a little, clean, oil, admire ! Congratulations !

Larry

 

[oldmcdonald]

Thanks for all of your responses. The photos were taken yesterday, so after my efforts to remove the spots. I'll clean & wax only from now on.

 

[model3sw]

This gun has been in my collection for a while, and I'm looking for some advice. It is a genuine, lettered Model 56, with matching numbered grips and "U.S." stamped on the back strap. I am told that there are approximately 60 documented examples in private collections, with most having been destroyed by the U.S. Air Force. The gun is original throughout. The problem is that it is lightly pitted from improper storage somewhere along the line. I have tried to remove the pits with oil and fine steel wool, brass wool, & a brass brush, all with no luck. My questions are as follows:
1. Is there another effective way to remove the pits without damaging the finish?
2. Will the pits multiply and get worse if I do nothing?
3. Should I have the gun restored & if so, by whom?
4. If I decide to sell as is, what should I expect to get?
Your insight and comments will be appreciated.

Someone will be along to amend or revise this but IIRC there are 2 different opinions on this revolver and neither has been verified.

Either way this is a very desirable S&W US military collectible.

One "story" is that they were destroyed by the USAF. Likely this tale came about as they are scarcely seen.

The second "story" is that by the time these were delivered the USAF, they were no longer needed for their intended purpose, thus, placed them in deep storage (like the US Govt warehouse at the end of Indiana Jones).

Realistically, this was an ALL steel revolver. There would have been no valid reason, nor question of safety, that mandated these being destroyed.

IIRC, I read somewhere on an original US order of 2,000 or more.

PS: Don't clean it !!

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Keep it take good care of it .It is only going to get more valuable with time I'm no expert but that's my 2 cents but 2 cents don't buy what it use to .

 

[MajorD]

I do not see any significant issue with the finish agree do nothing to it!
What I know about these is they were mostly issued to aviators ( I know several gun savvy aviators who indeed were issued these back in the 70's and 80's) and also middle silo crews. It was not unusual in this era after the beretta became standard for the 56's to be recalled and many guns including some essentially new to go through " captain crunch" and be destroyed. Unlike in the pre 1968 era when the dcm could release pistols to qualified personnel by the 1980's the military was not releasing pistols for private sale and the old revolvers were considered rather obsolete in military terms by then