Refinishing and restoring...

[No Quarter]

I recently purchased a very nicely refinished .38 Safety Hammerless, Third model.

I talked to the shop I bought it from after it was identified from a member here as being refinished (I was pretty sure that it had been refinished as it looked too pretty to be original) and wanted to see if they knew who had done the work.

I live in Dayton, Ohio. There is a good amount of high quality machine shops around here. Evidently, this gun belonged to a local collector and machinist that took the time to refinish the gun - new nickle plate, cleaned internally, reblued the trigger and trigger guard, etc.

Result is, i have a gun that not only looks great, but locks up nicely and also functions great for what it was intended to do - launch rounds towards a target.

What are your opinions on having these old guns refinished vs. keeping them in original form? Are they sufficiently inexpensive in today's market that any refinishing does not adversely affect their value? Does it improve their value?

I am asking specifically about the Safety Hammerless type top breaks, NOT Schofields and such, which would be a whole other discussion!

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Regards,

NQ

 

[rhmc24]

Take as an example a type of gun that in EXC condition would bring $700. To do a first class refinish on that type of gun would cost $250 or more, depending on how near to like factory new it wants to be and the condition it is in before the job starts. By first class I mean done by someone who keeps the flat parts flat, no cratering of holes, parting surfaces and edges sharp and un-rounded.

If the job to start with is without finish or has had its finish damaged but little work is required for preparation, the cost could be less. If there is pitting or other preparation required the man-hours could raise the cost to where buying a replacement in near-original condition would cost less.

Refinishing can do a lot for appearance of a gun but is rarely, if ever, cost effective. To most people a refinished gun is a refinished gun and value is cut by a third or half. Factory refinishing by S&W or Colt is something of an exception but if the gun is put back to 'new' condition it is still subject to a hit of 25% or more. References are to the same type of gun in original EXC condition.

Restorations by the top-of-the-line restorers turn out guns often better than new, at least in appearance. Many such jobs are 'status symbol' kind of things by people who can afford it for Granpa's gun. Not to say it isn't worth it to them, it's an emotional thing, but they don't sell for anything close to their cost.

There is also the 'labor of love' restoration done by someone who turns our a 're-creation' without regard to time or cost involved. I have done a few jobs that I put $1000 worth of work into & had something worth half that in the end - but it's a thing of satisfaction, etc.

If the 'example' type of gun is a costly collectible worth say $1200 in as-is condition, it could be worthwhile to spend serious money for professional restoration. Whether one should consider rework on those is a matter of opinion for discussion at another time.

 

[opoefc]

As common and as inexpemsive that Safety Hammerless models are, I cannot see where any refinishing could in any stretch of the imagination, be cost effective. However, if cost is not a concern, only the size of your wallet can tell you what to spend on a restoration. Ed.

 

[delta-419]

Refinishing and restoration have become a passion for me. Its like restoring a Rembrant or a deVinci. The idea in the back of my head (30 years ago) when I started was to salvage a piece of art that is nolonger produced by craftsman in todays world. True, it does not capture all of the skill incorperated in an early model, but it will preserve the design. Bringing one back from a "has been" to a functional shooter is worth the cost and effort. I call them my "graveyard projects". Some guns beg to be restored while others have soooo! much character that they are best left alone. You have to decide! I have restored breaktops, Lugers, Springfield Trapdoors, Winchesters, and yes, S&Ws. All have been guns that were on the scrap heap or close to it. I restore what happens to be my passion at the time. They have all turned out great shooters. Some have taken as long as 3-4 years before completion. Restoration is a big part of my hobby. Sometimes I will do part of the work and farm out part of it. Sometimes I will add a custom touch to a piece that makes it uniquely mine. As an example here are photos of two pieces; one restored and one that will stay like it is for as long as I own it. The restored one is a post war 38/44 with my own modifications, the other is a 2nd model 44HE that will remain "as is".

Hope this helps you to decide.

 

[AkRay]

As an example here are photos of two pieces; one restored and one that will stay like it is for as long as I own it. The restored one is a post war 38/44 with my own modifications, the other is a 2nd model 44HE that will remain "as is".

Hope this helps you to decide.[/QUOTE]

I'm just curious. Why do you plan to keep the 2nd Model 44 HE as is? It doesn't have much value to begin with and looks like it would benefit from a refinish.

 

[rhmc24]

Delta is right, at least he pretty well describes my position. I'm into big S&W breaktop DAs and big pre-1911 Colt autos. I restore those that are so bad that might be wrecked out for parts but one that just show common hard use and abuse, I appreciate its character to stay as-is. Some get 'dolled up' by engraving or grips. I have reworked damaged K frame pearls to fit my old S&Ws but I've used up all my ivorys I had made in Africa back in the '50s.

 

[delta-419]

AK Ray, to answer your question, the 44HE is probably a Max Security Prison gun or jailer's gun. When I was a training officer at the ADC Cummins Prison, Arkansas in the early '70s I had an armory full of these guns with this wear pattern. The guns were carried by "trustees" and rotated to each 12 hour shift and were duty guns 24/7. I had this gun lettered and it was shipped to St. Louis in the '20s. Somebody carried this old 44 day and night. The barrel has been pulled in and out of a holster so munch that it is wedge shaped. The frame stud is completely worn down from rubbing on leather.

To futher explain "guns and trustees" watch the movie 'Brubaker', it was made about my boss and the seven of us who were reform corrections officers at that prison. It was a long time ago!!!

I also spent 8 years in Alaska and have frequented your neck of the woods. Really miss Alaska!

 

[TACC1]

NO QUARTER
As stated, you'll have to decide. That said, I picked up a .32 Safety
that had been restored, and cut to a 2" barrel for SASS back up.
It's a really good looker in blue, and as far as I can tell, function is
perfect. The seller told me it had been done by David Chicoine, and
looks it. At the price I paid, I doubt I could find such a good looking
shooter. There's arguments for and against, but if it's a personal
thing, get a top pro to do the work. You'll have a treasure for at
least your own lifetime, and your thoughts and notes handed down
thru the years will make it somebody else's treasure, too.
JMHO, TACC1.