Perils of an auction. (It Finally Came)

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

BTW...took the revolver apart, as customary. The hammer safety block is missing. This should have one. How many of you guys buy and never open the sideplate? I do on every gun that comes in the door. The screws weren't bunged up at all and judging from the crud/shellac, the sideplate wasn't off any time recently. The sideplate is machined for one, there is no doubt. Now I need to look for a hammer safety block for an early Chiefs Special (1952). If anyone has one, or a compatible replacement, please let me know. What a colossal pain in the ass!

 

[bmcgilvray]

When you get the bad taste out of your mouth please show us the gun. Sounds like you picked up a really early Chief's Special.

Yeah, I take all my acquisitions apart as soon as I can.

 

[JayCeeNC]

I never take the sideplate off a revolver I buy unless something's wrong with it. I don't shoot them, anyway.

 

[Sebago Son]

Originally posted by oldflatfoot:
Well, an unhappy end to an unhappy story, if you like that sort of stuff.

It finally was delivered three weeks after it was paid for and it actually took 10 days to travel from Philadelphia to Syracuse, NY.

Philadelphia? Oh Nooooooo Lefty...... are the seller's initials SG?

Drew

 

[Art Doc]

You sound very unhappy. I would not keep something that made me unhappy. Sounds to me like you have plenty of reason for a return.

 

[HABU]

Originally posted by SaxonPig:
You sound very unhappy. I would not keep something that made me unhappy. Sounds to me like you have plenty of reason for a return.

Thats what I was thinking, until I realized he would then be out his money and not have a gun either.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Drew;

No, that's not his initials. He's not a dealer or by my impression, even an enthusuast. Just a guy selling an old revolver.

SaxonPig;

After this debacle, I would not be inclined to attempt a return. Largely, for the same reasons stated by HABU.

John:

The action was functional but pretty rough. Pretty atypical by my experience with these older models, which normally demonstrate a superior action. So I pulled the sideplate, which revealed about 55 years of crud, corrosion and gun oil turned to shellac. This is the second time in about 30 years or so, that I discovered a missing hammer block in a piece I acquired. There was no obvious indication based upon function, that the hammer block was not present. Had I not pulled the sideplate....well, I'll just say I'm glad I did.

Function is very satisfactory, cosmetically it's disappointing, perhaps a 95 % or less but, all matching including the numbered grips. These smaller early Chiefs Specials, sometimes called a "Baby Chief", because of the "I" frame type grip and round trigger guard make for a somewhat more concealable pocket gun. That's what this one will be used for. I'll post a photo later.

 

[230grfmj]

Originally posted by Sebago Son:

Philadelphia? Oh Nooooooo Lefty...... are the seller's initials SG?

Drew

The SCR-ROWT is more to the West over near Pittsburg, doing his thing all the time on Gunbroker and selling BB's & associated stuff on Ebay.

 

[Sebago Son]

Thank God ....

I thought that he may have resurfaced in S&W from his new life of selling Winchester-Browing-Red Ryder-Origional-Repro-1964 Mustang-Hubcap-Ashtrays.....

I love these Baby Chief's myself Lefty.... got one that's early enough to have the Terrier Barrel with the dime front sight.....

Your experiance is precisely the reason I never buy at On-Line Auction and rarely over the Internet unless it's someone I know.... And trust....

As bad as your experiance was (is) I have heard alot worse.

Drew

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Drew;

No doubt this sort of stuff, and much worse, happens all the time. In balance, I'm trying to remind myself of the real treasures I've found and the good reputable folks who treated me more than fairly. Anyway, heres a photo after I cleaned it up. BTW...I know it's not a prewar piece....but the period of manufacture was not the point of my post and once in awhile even I go a little astray!

Ser# 24XXX, I'm thinking 1952 or 1953. The bobbed hammer is not original, It came with the matching standard hammer.

 

[bettis1]

Now I need to look for a hammer safety block for an early Chiefs Special (1952). If anyone has one, or a compatible replacement, please let me know. What a colossal pain in the ass! Roll Eyes

Lefty, sorry to learn of your misfortune. I'll try a place that might have a hammer block but he won't be open until mid week or later.

Bob

 

[handejector]

Lefty,
I think I have the correct one. email a mailing address to [email protected].

By the way, guys- you can check for a hammer block quite easily-
CLEAR the gun, and slowly cock the hammer in GOOD light. As the hammer moves rearward, peer into the hammer slot, and you can see the hammer block moving DOWNWARD.
A little harder to see is the Pre-War type that pivots into the sideplate, but it is still possible. You DO need GOOD light. Simply look for the block moving into the sideplate. It might take 2 or 3 tries to be positive.

 

[Guest]

...I'm fairly disappointed Red Face by the postal service taking more than 7 days, 5 of them business days, at present, to deliver a registered priority mail package from an adjoining state, which is supposed to take no longer than 3 days...

...I'm told that registered mail is the highest form of security provided by the postal service and is used for important documents and high risk valuables,...

Registered Mail = Security because of Signature Requirements. Insurance is still necessary. Registered Does NOT provide Insurance.

Insured = Required if you want to receive a certain dollar amount from the PO if your package is truly lost.

Delivery Confirmation = a simple can cheap way of determining when and where your item was delivered.

Signature Confirmation = a bit more costly that Delivery Confirmation but you will have a record of the Signature.

Priority Mail = If you look closely at the PO it is stated very clearly - in the fine print - that this is not " <span class="ev_code_RED">supposed to take no longer than 3 days</span>". It doesn't say that. What it says is 3 days to most locations! There are a whole lot of locations that are not defined as "Most" by the PO.

Express Mail = This means FAST delivery. Either Over Night or by 10am the next morning under certain conditions.

<span class="ev_code_RED">...from an adjoining state...</span> The PO has established Regional Mailing Centers - about 20 odd years ago - and the mail you drop at PO in State "A" may just be sent to State "C" (to one of these Regional Centers) before it is Routed to State "B".

If you want it Fast, Secure, Insured and Confirmed - You can get it. It just means you have to pay for it. The more services you pay for the more you get.

<span class="ev_code_RED">NO, I don't work for the Post Office but I do know how the System works.</span>

I recently shipped two handguns out the very same day via UPS. One to Alaska(a really small city) and the other to Idaho(my neighboring State) and Yes, I was able to Track their movements on-line. But, they BOTH left Kirkland - North of me - and were sent to <span class="ev_code_RED">Kalifornia</span> before they got to their locations and Yes, I paid for the Required Next Day Air. I Shipped them both on a Thursday. The one to Idaho took four days because THEY don't count the day you ship the package as a real day and don't deliver on Weekends. And, even tho I had requested and paid for Delivery Signature the package was left on the porch without the driver doing so much as ringing the door bell! The one to Alaska didn't arrive until the following Friday! But, yes, I was able to see each and every step(stumble) it took along the way!

I would use USPS over any other service but because I'm not an FFL I'm stuck with those "Others" and with the Outrages price tags they put on their services.

OMO

 

[ultramag44]

Originally posted by oldflatfoot:


So I'm thinking that the milk of human kindness sometimes sours in the can. Some folks are trustworthy and honorable, others are not. That said, I'm not lamenting my naive belief that there are many good and honest dealers/sellers. Finding out which of those two your dealing with seems to be half the battle.

Cheers!

Agreed! All my transactions have been w/ honest and honorable men. yes, I have been lucky.

The only thing you get to take to the grave is your reputation. Make sure it's clean when they close the box!

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Originally posted by handejector:
Lefty,
I think I have the correct one. email a mailing address to [email protected].

By the way, guys- you can check for a hammer block quite easily-
CLEAR the gun, and slowly cock the hammer in GOOD light. As the hammer moves rearward, peer into the hammer slot, and you can see the hammer block moving DOWNWARD.
A little harder to see is the Pre-War type that pivots into the sideplate, but it is still possible. You DO need GOOD light. Simply look for the block moving into the sideplate. It might take 2 or 3 tries to be positive.

Thanks Lee...email incoming.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Originally posted by bettis1:

Now I need to look for a hammer safety block for an early Chiefs Special (1952). If anyone has one, or a compatible replacement, please let me know. What a colossal pain in the ass! Roll Eyes

Lefty, sorry to learn of your misfortune. I'll try a place that might have a hammer block but he won't be open until mid week or later.

Bob

Thank you Bob, I appreciate it!

 

[lonewolf]

Lefty; I haven't and won't buy guns of an auction site,despite seeing photos-just have read of too many hassles trying to return the gun, with FFL transfers, "disappointments", and the paperwork of FFL transfers, shipping etc.

Plus-it can lead to "impulse" buying and "pissing contests"-with another bidder!

Just my "advanced years", but I like to size up a gun-and more crucially-the SELLER-in person!

I also harken back to 20-25 years ago,BEFORE digital cameras and photos, when I bought and sold many "gun related items"-WITHOUT PHOTOS-through "Shotgun News" and "Gun List". Maybe a phone call for "further description"-BUT it sadly seems, that back then, people were "more honest"-and a "man's word was his bond"

Bud

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

Originally posted by oldflatfoot:

Originally posted by bettis1:

Now I need to look for a hammer safety block for an early Chiefs Special (1952). If anyone has one, or a compatible replacement, please let me know. What a colossal pain in the ass! Roll Eyes

Lefty, sorry to learn of your misfortune. I'll try a place that might have a hammer block but he won't be open until mid week or later.

Bob

Thank you Bob, I appreciate it!

Bud;

Yes, for the most part, your observations are valid ones. I remember back when too. But, ignoring the auctions kind of narrows your opportunities when searching for specimens not easily found locally. I don't have a handy catch all solution either, but for the present, I'll just place a little distance between me and the auctions.

Others;

BTW....After reviewing SCSW, I'm thinking this might be a bit older than I initially thought. It is the 5 screw and smaller, roundish, trigger guard and screw in the trigger guard. SCSW reflects a production change in 1951 to the "Slightly larger frame and trigger guard."
I'm thinking this is a transistion type between the earliest type and the later J frame.
The flat latch on this one is different from any of my later production (mid '50's) Chiefs Special's. I know there were a few variations of the flat latches. This one is almost totally flat with 12 serrations. My post war Terriers have the "ski jump" type, also with 12 serrations. My pre war Terriers have the standard thumbpiece.

What threw me on the probable date of production on this one was the heavy barrel and the serrated ramp front sight, so I was guessing '52-'53. They also produced the earliest type with the coin front sight and later, a smooth, non serrated ramp front sight. Quite a few production changes within the very first few years. I hadn't planned to letter it, but perhaps I will.

Edited to add:

When I changed out the hammers, I noted that they were of the stirrup type, not the original ball and socket type. But that production change didn't occur until 1962, according to Jinks, at serial number 295,000 (remember this one is 24XXX) of the J frame series. I'm thinking it may have been replaced when the new "improved" hammer design became available. There are no rework marks.

Strange, don't you think?

 

[2152hq]

Originally posted by KKG:
Registered Mail = Security because of Signature Requirements. Insurance is still necessary. Registered Does NOT provide Insurance.

Insured = Required if you want to receive a certain dollar amount from the PO if your package is truly lost.

>
The 'Registered Mail' service does provide insurance coverage. The declared value determines the Registered Mail 'Fee'. $25K max value. That fee is then added to the postage (method that the package is sent....Priority Mail,ect) plus any other additional services you purchase (Return Receipt, Restricted Delivery, COD, ect). All that adds up to the final bill for the shipping.
The route that the mail may take from one location to another may seem off kilter but as KKG sez, it's routed through the RMC's and it never seems to be a direct route. UPS and all the shippers do the same. It may even by-pass your location and come back and get delivered days later. I sent a shotgun from NY to MO last spring Registered and it took 2 weeks!

It had a hell of nice trip I guess. Made it in fine shape though.

 

[Art Doc]

For some reason a few people back in the 1950s thought that removing the hammer block would improve the action. I've seen a number of carry guns from that era missing this piece.

SS- It's your choice to steer clear of Internet sales but after about 70 such purchases I have only been disappointed twice. The seller sent an acceptable replacement in the first case and in the second I chose to live with the imperfection since I got it for about half market value.