Replacement barrels????

[vinny1]

Hey guys I have a 1899 hand ejector serial #2346 that I have been thinking about restoring. It needs new nickle and a new or lots better barrel. I don't want to re-nickle it with the original barrel because it is "shot out" by corrosive powder. Anyone know who handles barrels new or used of this type? The gun belonged to my great, great grandfather and I am lucky to have it.

Vinny



Oh yeah, its a .32-20

 

[jrd1976]

Welcome to the forum.

That might be a tough item to find. Try GunpartsCorp, Lee's in Dallas, Popperts in PA. Jack First (in SD, I think). You could put in the Wanted section of the forum.

A great many on the forum, including me, will advise against restoration, especially of a family heirloom.

The formula is something like: take a $300 gun; invest $600 in restoration; and end up with a $300 gun. When you show it, you will be showing great, great grandfather's restored gun, not great, great grandfather's gun.

If it were mine, I'd clean and lubricate; make sure it was safe; make minor repairs; and shoot it a few times because of all who owned it over the generations.

Then I'd find a later model in 32-20 (for way less than $600) to have fun with.

 

[delta-419]

If you just ant to shoot it, consider having the barrel relined. It saves the origional barrel and you get a "like new" shootable one. A family gun should probably not be refinished?

 

[vinny1]

Who re-lines barrels? And how much? I don't understand why I shouldn't re-plate it. It would still be the same gun. Just like painting your grandpas old car.I would like for it to look and shoot good.


Oh yeah, What is the age of this gun? I assume the serial number is on the butt. It is 2346 with the latest pat. date as Oct 4 98

 

[mikepriwer]

The gun is late 1899, or very early 1900. If you can, post some
pictures of the gun - both sides.

If not, tell us more about the gun. What length barrel, and finish,
and type of sights, are you looking for ? Barrels are available - that
is not a problem. What about the finish of the rest of the gun ? With
a nice barrel, will the rest of the gun have to be refinished ?

Also, what about the cylinder - particularly the mouths of the chambers
? Are they corroded, as well ? And how is the timing of the gun ?
I'm wondering just how many other parts you will need .

Mike Priwer

 

[jrd1976]

It's just a personal preference not to refinish. To me, aging on a gun adds character.

Post some pictures if you can, and good luck with your project.

Congratulations on getting something that has been in the family that long.

 

[vinny1]

Right now I can't post pictures but I will try to describe it best I can. It has a 4" barrel with no rear sight. There is no corrosion around the cylinder. The rest of the gun is very tight and it does shoot. There is no pitting of the outer surface anywhere, just lots of "patina". The plastic or "hard" rubber grips are perfect. The only downfall of the gun is the very dark and corroded inner barrel. Oh yeah it is nickle.

Vinny

 

[larryofcc]

I have my Dads Target Woodsman (1949), and would never consider a refinish. Dad used this pistol in many matches back in the early 50's and he said it had seen 1,000,000 rds. It is what it is. A Colt with 1,000,000 rds. through it. Trigger worn to under 1 lb. so I do not shoot it anymore. Big Larry

 

[mikepriwer]

Vinny

This value of this gun is more emotional than financial. By that
I mean that its been handed down through the family, and in fact,
it may be the only material thing that you have from your great great
grandfather. Many of us here feel that it should be kept as original
as possible. Even with a bore that is worn and shows corrosion, it
will still shoot - ie, it is still functional. A good cleaning of the
nickel plating will make it look a lot nicer.

From a money aspect, it is not worth a lot, and replacing the barrel
will not increase its monetary value. Furthermore, you won't find a
barrel that will match the rest of the surface finish, and so you will
have to make decisions about what to do - probably spend more
money refinishing the whole gun. And it will not be worth it,
money-wise.

Having said that, and while I am trying to disuade you from replacing
the barrel, I do have extra 1899 barrels. Not a 4" M&P barrel, but
a 5" blue M&P, and 6 1/2" blue and nickel target barrels. They won't
match, but they are good-to-new condition barrels. I also have a
4" blue barrel that was cut from a 6" barrel, so it needs a front sight.

Hope this is helpful, Mike Priwer

 

[Frank46]

Mike, you may want to contact John Taylor johntaylor@taylormachine he does relines on just about anything that goes bang. However I don't know if he does revolvers. If the address is wrong try google and it should come up. Has done a lot of work and I've seen reccomendations on the assra and castboolits forums. Frank

 

[El Biblioitecario]

I don't understand why I shouldn't re-plate it. It would still be the same gun. Just like painting your grandpas old car.I would like for it to look and shoot good.

I totally agree--don't let the purists on this forum distract you. After my grandpa died I took all his old guns down to the bumper shop and had them plated, and now they look a whole lot better. As soon as I get a few bucks together, I'm going to have grandpa exhumed and stuffed; I figure with a little makeup, he'll look a lot better, too.

 

[Hondo44]

I have to echo the "don't refinish it" mantra. Unless you spend gobs of money for a true restoration, a refinish, which is not the same as restoration, will look shiny but not better. You will lose the old world craftsmanship; the original factory expert metal work shapes with sharp edges, round screw holes and nice original contours will be lost. In all likelyhood the original markings will be obliterated or at least hard to read. Repainting an old car is not an appropriate analogy to refinishing an old gun. To refinish a gun the metal surface is sanded and buffed. Every new flaw (and there will be flaws) from doing this will show right thru the new finish and look worse than the original worn gun finish. A replaced barrel will no longer have the matching serial number to the gun on it.

It won't be g g grandpa's gun any longer, just a hunk of shiny metal with all the character lost. Get all the dirt, rust (if any) and nickel tarnish off by rubbing it out with semi-chrome or metal cleaner. No power tools. You'll be surprised how good it will look. At least try that 1st. Once it's refinished you can never go back. Spend a couple of minutes writing down everything you know about it and his use of the gun for family provenance. And shoot it for fun.

 

[vinny1]

Ok, I will not re-plate the gun sense it will make the gun worth less. And I won't rebarrel it either ( there are no rifelings at all). What about some nice vintage pearl grips maybe later in the summer. Are these readily available? Something to dress up a wall hanger.

Thanks
Vinny

 

[mikepriwer]

Vinny

Please take our comments in the context of "You can always, later,
do what you want - first try to clean it up as best as possible." We are
trying to say that a refinish/restoration is permanent, and can not be
undone. After you have cleaned it up, as best as possible, then if
you still want to make permanent changes to it, that is your choice.

Authentic factor pearl grips are going to be hard to come by, and cost
$300 to $400 if you can find them. After-market pearls are much less
expensive, but will not be original. Again, its your gun, so in the
end you will do what you want to. If the gun has the original grips,
and they are wood, they can be recheckered by Keith Brown, and will
look fabulous. Or, if they are hard black rubber, and badly worn,
replacement pairs are available. Pearl and ivory - costly, but available.

Regards, Mike Priwer