My new Pre-23 (Picture heavy: 56K warning)

[Hondo44]

David,
I for one do not believe it is refinished. I've found that the indicated 'flaws' particularly the 'panit sag' you mentioned are more an indicator of a factory finish; which are usually 'corrected' when refinished, especially if it were refinished as competent as this one looks. I own 'known' factory original finish guns with similar 'flaws' or better called 'characteristics'. As nice as these old Smiths were, they were seldom perfect from the factory. These factory 'characteristics' are in fact the exact issues one looks for to indicate original finish, (not unlike Colt single actions that I'm much more familiar with).

Also, I believe as you do, that the box is not the original due to the Serial # marking. More likely the non-original grips fit that scenario in my opinion. Likely it had grips that were after market and a subsequent owner added your grips and the box to get the gun back closer to factory configuration for resale. If the box were original, it would probably have the paper work and original grips in it, having been put aside by the original owner when the after market grips were installed. Just my 2 bits worth. It's a screamer and remember, if you feel whatever you paid was high, it's not too much, just a little too early!

The first thing I would do is polish the cylinder bolt with a dremel tool after masking the blued area around it, to avoid the cylinder ring from getting worse. The factory left them very rough with file marks.

Jim
SWCA # 819

 

[DCWilson]

Allen, I love your gun -- very handsome. There is just something so confidence-inspiring about holding a revolver that is so grossly over-engineered for the round it chambers. These .38 Special N-frames are extremely appealing guns.

Jim, thanks for weighing in on the question of refinishing. The more I look at this Pre-23, and the more I compare it to other little-used mid-century guns in my small collection, the more I feel I am correct in my opinion that this one has the original finish. I don't have a closed mind on this, so I'm still open to arguments to the contrary. I would not be afraid to pass this one around for hands-on inspection if a bunch of us end up in the same place at some time. If someone wants to suggest additional photos that might address the question, I'll be happy to take and post them. You can already see the unsmoothed recoil shield and the "white" center of the ejector star in the first set of images I put up.

David W.

 

[1Aspenhill]

Dave,
I looked at the pics again, and I don't think it has been refinished. If it has, then it was done by someone who really knows what they were doing. Most of the time the sideplate fit, screw holes elongated, front site pins polished flat, barrel pin polished flat, pitting under the finish, are all indications of refinishing. The real tale is if it letters as a high polish finished gun. I don't see why it shouldn't. As for grips not matching, there are tons of guns in great condition that the orginal owner took the originals off and put replacements on. Most Mod 520s don't have the correct numbered grips on them! Enjoy it, it's a beauty.
Bill

 

[DCWilson]

Thanks Bill, I appreciate your feedback on this question.

David

 

[Tier1Mike]

Congrats!! Great find.

 

[H P Bushrod]

Beautiful! Congrats on your purchase!

 

[suds01]

David

i think you got a beautiful pistol. there wouldnt be any buyers remorse for me.... enjoy that baby, again and again

suds

 

[DCWilson]

BTT with additional info added to original post following receipt of factory letter.

DCW

 

[j38]

David,

Thanks for the update. I vist Baker regularly for work and I'll double-check next time to see if the hardware store is still there. I kind of doubt it as it doesn't ring a bell.

It does get cold over there in the winter - a 53 year old gun with good sense might want to opt for San Diego.

Jerry

 

[JSR III]

I have to agree about the finish. It looks original to me. If it was redone, as Bill said, it was a damn good job. Depth of roll stamps or clearness of their cut is not an absolute determining factor. Stamps wear out and will not give the same impression the 1,000 th time as they do the first.

As far as stocks go, it seems that more S&W's have non original stocks than have original ones. I will never understand why that is. I have two S&W semi automatics that are pristine but have non medallion stocks. I have been advised that these are incorrect and must be replacements. One set is on a model 52 serial number 50156 (first or second year production) and the second set is on a pre model 39 serial number 1725 ( also probably within the first few years of production). I see no reason on earth why two guns in such new condition would require their stocks replaced. So with all that said, I believe that a lot of what is thought is conjecture and we will never really know.

Enjoy the gun as it is a beautiful example and don't worry about the finish.