Rescued Model 35

[Texas10MM]

Last Friday I was flush with cash in my pocket and no adult supervision so I headed to the largest pawnshop in the area.

I was actually looking for a Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt since I have a set of dies for that cartridge but no firearm.

They didn't have what I was looking for but they did have a S&W revolver in the case that wasn't familiar to me.

I asked to see it and noted that it was a model 35. It appeared to have spent way too much time in a gun case as it had some rust issues. They were asking $450 for it which I wasn't willing to pay and they would not come down to $300 which I was willing to pay.

I continued to peruse the cases and found a Ruger SR22 in really good shape. I got them down to $225 out the door on the Ruger.

While filling out the 4473 up front I asked again about the S&W. They called a manager over and they started pecking at the computer keyboard. I asked if I could get the S&W for $300 out the door.

They asked if I was paying cash and was still going to buy the Ruger. I told them I was.

So I got the 35 for $270 and tax.

Here's the before pictures.

 

[Texas10MM]

More before.

 

[Texas10MM]

I noted that the screw under the grip was a bit buggered up so I knew the sideplate had been removed before. As you can see the internals were in very good shape.

The hammer shows noticeable wear. My guess is that this gun was loved and shot a lot by the original owner and then passed on to kids or grandkids who left it in a pistol case for a few years.

Here's the after pictures.

 

[Texas10MM]

This little gun shoots like a dream. The DA pull is a bit heavy but the SA pull is a delight.

My old eyes wish the rear sight was a bit larger though. If I do my part it's very accurate.

I'd been wanting a DA .22 revolver for a long time. I found an uncommon vintage revolver that's a great shooter for a very good price.

I'm debating as to whether to leave her as is or have her bead blasted and matte blued.

 

[tt66]

Looks like it cleaned up really nice. If it were mine I would leave it as is and shoot the heck out of it !!
Tim

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Welcome aboard from Wyoming.

Great job of negotiating and especially cleaning up that gem.

Nice work.

Please leave it as is. You have a fantastic marque at an even better price. Throwing more money at it won't make it shoot better. Imagine and enjoy its history.

 

[Tom K]

Great deal! I'd leave it as is. Rather than Pachmayrs, I recommend that you find a set of S&W J frame target grips. They fill the hand better than the skimpy magnas that came on it and look much better than rubber grips.

 

[gmborkovic]

For $300 OTD, Im in everyday. Just as a field/carry gun , its great.

 

[mtgianni]

It is a great working 35. I believe you did very well at that price.

 

[Hondo44]

Those New I frame Models of 1953 are hard to find!
Is it stamped Mod 35?

Yeah, it sure did clean up nice! Are you close to the Gulf?

What did you use?

With a serial or partial # we can get pretty close to when it shipped for you.

 

[Peak53]

Love the before/after sequence. Congratulations! But please please please put those magnas back on. Then shoot, shoot, shoot :)

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Great gun, great deal, leave it alone and shoot it a lot in good health.

 

[Texas10MM]

Those New I frame Models of 1953 are hard to find!
Is it stamped Mod 35?

Yeah, it sure did clean up nice! Are you close to the Gulf?

What did you use?

With a serial or partial # we can get pretty close to when it shipped for you.

I'm near Dallas. It is stamped Mod 35.

I used Ed's Red and a Big 45 scrub pad.

 

[Texas10MM]

Love the before/after sequence. Congratulations! But please please please put those magnas back on. Then shoot, shoot, shoot :)

Those Magnas are way too small for my hands. If I can find a set of J frame target grips for less than my house payment I'll get them and put them on.

I'm amazed at what wood stocks cost.

 

[RMFnLA]

Nice job on the clean-up!

I agree with leave it as is and put the magnas back on.

The nice thing about a .22 is the low recoil is not as demanding of highly functional grips so you can bow more to aesthetics.

Just my $0.02...

 

[MajorD]

I would have jumped on that one for sure! Always wanted a 35 but most are found in really great shape at high prices. Not easy to find either!