Refurbished 1st Model D.A.

[Kinman]

After reviewing the beautiful factory refurbished Schofield I thought I'd post a few shots of a factory refurbished 1st Model D.A. that I just had to have. My first antique Smith and Wesson and IMHO about the most handsome handgun ever built, not too crazy about .44 Russian over .44/40 in the Frontier but still barrel length and all it just GRABBED me. This one went back to the factory in July of 1956 and by every account and visual inspection had not been fired since. I shoot it with black powder only and use W.R.A. cases that have been kept in long term storage. It is so tight that after around a dozen rounds I need to wipe the cylinder fase off in order to keep it smoothly whispering around when cocked for single action. Its a real joy to shoot and like most of these shoots high.

 

[shouldazagged]

Wow, that is a beauty. Amazing restoration.

 

[BMur]

Very nice. Great shooter too! The grips are truly amazing. I’m seeing literally zero wear. The screws are perfect, case colors are very well done. Surface and bluing tone are exceptional.

 

[Jtown]

Very nice, great photos also.
Walt

 

[Kinman]

Thanks guys, the Photos were pulled off the G.B. Website.

 

[BMur]

Kinman,
Does it look like the catch posts have been replaced on the frame by the factory to tighten up the barrel lock? They look very sharp and in the second photo it looks like a new hardened set has been reapplied ( professionally). Possibly a new extractor to eliminate play on the cylinder? Usually the extractor develops wear and eventual left/ right shimmy that is minimized when the cylinder is fully loaded. All of mine have this inevitable condition but yours looks factory new.

 

[Kinman]

I downloaded all of the pictures off Gunbroker when I purchased the piece. I hope this picture best represents a hopeful answer to your question. I have no idea how these would be replaced. I am not an expert in the collection or restoration of antique revolvers. All I can tell you from personal experience and examination of this little jewel is that it went back to the factory in July of 1956 and probably wasn't in bad shape, just typical wear and tear and finish issues. There is no sign of corrosion anywhere, nor is there any sign of pieces being cleaned up enough to remove said damage. The roll marks on the top of the piece are actually all leglible, these usually suffer in a restoration. Thanks for your interest.

 

[BMur]

Yeah,
I’ve actually had posts replaced professionally. On a Baby Russian Baltimore Police issue. You can’t tell on mine either from a visual inspection. Machinists are metal miracle workers. All I know is this gentleman was a professional Tig welder. On My Baltimore gun both posts were sheered off! Long ago. There are no lines or any visible evidence from the naked eye that they were replaced. But they were replaced! You can see a slight difference when you compare the posts side by side with original factory posts on the same model gun.
That’s why I’m thinking that they did the same thing during the restoration process to your 44. It’s the only (professional method) to add metal to take up any play in the barrel lock. The gentleman that fixed mine acted like it was no big deal so it must be a fairly easy process for those that know how?

 

[Kinman]

I understand what you say about some of those guys being either genius's or amazing artists. I ran into a guy well over 20 years ago that did what he called "spray welding", it worked on a process similar to spray painting except the gun sprayed fine particles of steel onto the badly pitted electro charged piece until he built up enough metal to then turn the piece back down to original specs. I do remember his rate was very high and his outfit was located very close to the local air-base/International air-port. My uncle had a friend I got to meet in Helena, MT. According to my uncle the guy was the premier gold caster in the U.S., Helena is loaded with truly amazing artist and this guy was revered by all of them. I saw some of his work, he cast a huge wasp for some entomologist and I swear you could see through its wings.
I have a local S&W trained armorer buddy that has tig welded up hands on worn revolvers, claims he can keep all my stuff running fine as long as he lives, even he shakes his head when looking at the work those guys did back in 1956.