I have 2 S&W inherited from my father who was was retired police. The first is 38Spl Military&Police 2nd Model 1st Change manufactured in early 1900's. Wondering about restoring it as nickel plating badly worn and grips and grip screw are replacements. Piece functions well and have shot it on a range. History is that it originally belonged to a relative who had been a county sheriff in Indiana early 1900's and later helped start Indiana State Police(Called something else originally) and in the 1920-1940 era was proprietor of private detective agency. Some pitting in barrel but still wonder if worth restoring or best to leave as is............The other is 38SW New Departure First model which I'll make posting about in the right place.....Thanks for any input....
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I would leave the M&P just as your father and relative carried it. It has earned every flake, ding and knockabout spot on it. There is nothing wrong with good, honest wear.
I would leave the M&P just as your father and relative carried it. It has earned every flake, ding and knockabout spot on it. There is nothing wrong with good, honest wear.
I completely agree with Muley Gil. There's a difference between redoing an old clunker that you paid $75 for from a bargain table, and tampering with something that has nearly a century of family history embedded in it. Clean it up, oil it well, keep it from losing any further ground -- that's the way to honor that gun.
I have an old Colt .25 automatic that in the 1930s wandered around New Mexico in the pocket of my mother's older brother. It's pretty rough, but when I wondered about getting it renickeled, the people I asked told me not to touch it. A few months later I realized they were right.
David Wilson
I have an old Colt .25 automatic that in the 1930s wandered around New Mexico in the pocket of my mother's older brother. It's pretty rough, but when I wondered about getting it renickeled, the people I asked told me not to touch it. A few months later I realized they were right.
David Wilson
I have a different view about this. I make a distinction between collectible guns
that have collectible value, and all other guns. It's much like the distinction that
furniture collectors make. If a piece is collectible, then its original finish is very
important. If its not collectible, then the original finish is not important.
What I'm saying is that if the original finish is important to is monetary value, then
the original finish should remain.
In the case of guns like this, that have obvious surface problems, and are presumed
to have no value associated with its provenance, then its up to the owner to
decide what they want to look at. If it were me, and I would prefer that the gun
be in the best condition possible, then I'd get it refinished, at least.
One can get a reasonable idea of it's value by taking it around to some gun shows,
explain what it is, and see what someone will pay for it.
The thing about nickel finish is that what you see is not always what you get.
Corrosion can be happening under the nickel, and its not visible until a large piece
of the nickel comes off, exposing more damage to the surface of the metal.
Another consideration is , and we've talked about this many time, will any of your
heirs want the gun ? And in that line, will they want it more, or less, if its condition
is doggy ? For me, I'd want it in the best condition possible; otherwise there is a good
chance that it will get thrown out along with most everything else.
Later, Mike Priwer
that have collectible value, and all other guns. It's much like the distinction that
furniture collectors make. If a piece is collectible, then its original finish is very
important. If its not collectible, then the original finish is not important.
What I'm saying is that if the original finish is important to is monetary value, then
the original finish should remain.
In the case of guns like this, that have obvious surface problems, and are presumed
to have no value associated with its provenance, then its up to the owner to
decide what they want to look at. If it were me, and I would prefer that the gun
be in the best condition possible, then I'd get it refinished, at least.
One can get a reasonable idea of it's value by taking it around to some gun shows,
explain what it is, and see what someone will pay for it.
The thing about nickel finish is that what you see is not always what you get.
Corrosion can be happening under the nickel, and its not visible until a large piece
of the nickel comes off, exposing more damage to the surface of the metal.
Another consideration is , and we've talked about this many time, will any of your
heirs want the gun ? And in that line, will they want it more, or less, if its condition
is doggy ? For me, I'd want it in the best condition possible; otherwise there is a good
chance that it will get thrown out along with most everything else.
Later, Mike Priwer
opoefc
US Veteran
Mike makes a good point. Usually I'd advise a person to keep any gun inherited as is, except for a good cleaning and oiling. Badly deteriorated nickel plating is the exception. Rusting will continue under the remaining nickel. I have about 1/2 doz. guns handed down from ancestors, from a Rev. War surviving flint lock Kentucky rifle to a Winchester Model 62. One is a Stevens single shot rifle, 25RF caliber, that had a nickel receiver with little remaining nickel. Lots of blue on the barrel, however, so I carefully renickeled the receiver. Looks 100%+ better and didn't hurt the provenance, in my opinion. My ancestors were not collectors and their guns were used to put meat on the tables and kill off the bad guys, and were tools that they kept in good workable condition and will still shoot today. ( One exception, a distant cousin, Brack Cornett, Texas desperado, train robber and all around bad guy, came in 2nd place in a gun fight with Deputy Sheriff Alfred Allee in 1888. I have his engraved Colt SA. Maybe he should have had a S&W New Model No. 3 ! ) My own guns, mostly shooters, and one collectable ( S&WCA 25th Anniv. .44 mag Model 29, with my special serial number, SWCA15, will go NIB, unfired, to my eldest son). Other collectables will go to auction. Ed.
bk43
Member
Since your M&P is outside what is considered collectable you should do exactly as you please. Whatever you do, it's not going to change its value much. My personal preference in these cases is a shadow box, or something like that, with other stuff from the relative so the whole family can enjoy their heritage. If that doesn't trip your trigger, refinish it and shoot the snot out of it. Using it for what it was made for, and what your ancestors used it for, honors their memory too IMHO. Bottom line, it's your call.
Bob
Bob
