Reblue .44Spl HE

[STCM(SW)]

Who should I used to do my 1956/57 HE?
Letter has not come back yet from Roy.
S&W or some one else?
If S&W, how do you contact them?

Thanks for any help guys.

And, yes, I rather have it look better then it is....

 

[2hawk]

Phone number is at the top of the page.
Precision Gunsmithing - Smith & Wesson

You'll need to be patient, and I suggest talking to one of the 'smiths in the PC before you make your decision, not a customer service person. Let us know how it goes!

 

[lowhog]

I think it looks good the way it is.

 

[Peak53]

I agree that the 44 is beautiful with its original finish. The wear on the gun is not such that it significantly devalues it, whereas a refinish would. My opinion only. If you want to part with that worn out revolver so you can buy one in the condition you prefer, please let me know!

 

[Art Doc]

I wouldn't touch it. The condition takes it out of collector status. If you refinish it, it will still be out of collector status. Either way it's a shooter. Who needs new finish on a shooter? You want a pretty one? Go buy a pretty one.

But as always, it's your gun and if you want to spend money to reduce its value go ahead.

 

[gunfish]

Tough call. I sent a badly dented 13-3 to S&W and it came back with a beautiful polish and reblue. I would think twice before sending my 1950 Target.

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

I do not think S&W will refinish Guns that old,Fords would be my choice.

 

[glowe]

And, yes, I rather have it look better then it is....

Your call, but you will throw $1000 to $1500 in lost value out the window with a refinish. Plus, remember you own a very collectable firearm that would have little collector value if refinished, so you would lose the big money audience. I think with a little cleaning and a few years, that revolver will be selling for $2500 in its present condition as they are hot collectables.

My standard comments are always that you are only a caretaker of this firearm and it will go to someone else down the road. Every day there are less and less original guns left to collect due to overzealous owners wanting bling instead of originality.

My suggestion is to go out and buy a 629 Classic in 44 Special and shoot the heck out of it.

 

[jsfricks]

Have you given it a really good cleaning yet? You would be surprised what it will do for one. Take the stocks off, put it in a gallon storage bag and coat it heavily with Kroil, enough so that it sits covered on about half the gun. Turn it over, shake it around a few times a day to keep it coated. Do that at least 24 hours. Remove and without wiping it down go over it lightly with some fine BRONZE wool, not steel wool. It can be found at Ace Hardware. Stay off the edges where it's thin. After that, wipe it down and with a light colored rag go over it with light pressure with Mothers Mag Cleaner( found at parts stores, Walmart,etc) or Flitz. You will see the rag trun a little brown and blue. Your basically removing the very top layer of the bluing. Go easy on the edges. Then wipe it down and wax it. Here are some before and after pics of a recent purchase I did this way.
Before



After

 

[Willeys]

Originality should be maintained as long as possible. Your gun has character and reflects the history it has been through. A pretty face is short lived compared to character. I would keep it as is.

 

[Nightowl]

That is way too nice a .44 to be ruined by a reblue. I would buy one like yours, but would not touch a reblued one. Your gun, your money, your choice. Just my opinion.
But, I sure would like to have one like that.

 

[tlay]

The above post is right, S&W will not work on pre model guns. If you want it reblued I would have Fords in Florida do it. But as jsfricks said you can make it look much better with a little polishing.

 

[inFALable]

Currently your gun has roughly 80-90% finish. Refinished it will considered 0% finish as it will not be original. I like its looks now.

 

[rburg]

What I think is jsfricks should go into business. He somehow turned a nice M1950 into a prewar revolver! That takes a talent I can't even touch. Good work.

Well, that or someone needs to open such a business. One that takes an old gun that probably saw a lifetime of good service and cleans it really well. I've seen a bunch of guns that need cleaning. But never a cleaning service. I once saw a sign at a gun shop that advertised they were having factory guys in on Saturday to clean guns. But they weren't doing any better than Bubba, if that well. It just so happens I'd bought an old well shot revolver. So I took it with me when I went back. I got there early, and only faced a line of about a dozen people. They didn't touch the leading and sure didn't disassemble it. They said it didn't need that. I left with a whole new feeling about that gun shop and how factory guys take care of a gun. And I realized factory workers depend on selling new guns, not prolonging the life of good old ones.