New Mpdel #3 Reserection

[mmaher94087]

I thought I'd post this 1896, Takata, Japan shipped NM#3 that was bought thinking it would be salvaged for parts. The price was right, and it was advertised as needing a hand. But it was too nice to part out when it arrived, so I went about 'fixing' it.

As it turned out, it needed everything inside. The hammer sear had been grossly filed; the trigger sear was chipped/broken badly. The hand was broken, the handspring as broken, and the cylinder stop was broken also. The revolver wouldn't close because the Extractor Cam was bent from repeated attempts to do so which was due to the misalignment of the cam and extractor.

I sent out the chipped, filed or broken part for 'micro-welding'. Upon their arrival, I shaped, fit, timed and hardened the parts. Timing this revolver took three looong days but it is righteous. I'm glad that I could save this Smith & Wesson New Model #3.

 

[iby]

It sure looks good to be so badly abused on the inside

 

[Patbar]

Mike, your gun sur deserved to be saved ! Nice work !

 

[mmaher94087]

Patbar, thank you. Iby, I couldn't decide what let loose first but I suspect that it might have been the handspring and then hand. I think the bit of the hand fell inside and caused the trigger to chip. This caused the hammer to not hold full-cock and out came the file. The deepening of the sear notch and movement (shortening) of the face of the sear caused the cylinder stop notches to not rotate to align and lock the cylinder. I believe the revolver was snapped shut in hopes that this would help. This then broke the cylinder stop and possibly bent the extractor cam. I suspect the barrel was repeatedly closed which only further bent the extractor cam to the point that it interfered with the extractor housing at the hinge.

 

[iby]

Serious Bubba work!
Is it an Artillery model?
Look like it might be
Congrats on getting it up and running

 

[BMur]

Abused

Sounds like the Japanese put it through the ringer!

Murph

 

[raljr1]

Certainly worth saving. Good work!

 

[ameridaddy]

Nice save. That was a labor of love!

 

[7.62match]

Mike that is one beautiful revolver I'm glad it was you that bought it . Good work sir.

 

[mmaher94087]

This revolver went to the Navy. It's not marked but the serial number puts it in the known range of the revolver contract for the Navy.

 

[SchofieldKid]

Looks amazing considering the "carnage" you found on the inside! If you don't mind me asking, where did you get the micro-welding done? I have a couple of parts that need that service but can't find a local source to do it. One more question-are the stocks(grips) actually brown? Thanks,

Steve

 

[pmanton]

Wow! I'm impressed.

 

[mmaher94087]

Steve, I use:

Advanced Welding, Inc.
1088 Independance Ave.
Mountain View, CA. 94043

Ask for Marty, the owner.

650-967-5583

[email protected]

When submitting parts to be welded, drawings help as does verbiage instructing them what you want done. Be specific. Say: 'Don't touch this surface' or 'Leave a .030" gap here'. A generic 'This needs welding' won't fly. Although I've never asked for a quote, I would think Marty would give one if asked. I didn't blink when three parts were welded, and the bill was $125. I was just glad to find greater skill than I have and someone willing to tackle the projects.

Those grips are factory Walnut, and they are brown.

 

[SchofieldKid]

Thanks for the welding tip Mike, I'll be giving them a call. About the grips, I had a brain fade thinking they were hard rubber until I realized they were probably wood due to the checkering--duh! Thanks again.

Steve

 

[Oldmanwesson]

As a collector, and one who believes that we are merely custodians of these pieces while we are privileged to own them, I thank you for saving its life. Another would have slaughtered it for parts. Good on you!