S&W Model 1955

[Drug Store Cowboy]

Some of the pits on the gun were "acquired" from my nephew (come to find out he had it wrapped in a towel that got wet), who later died from cancer in his thirties. Maybe those old pits add to the sentimental value as much as belonging to my father. All you gentlemen have given me a lot to thinks about. Thank you.

 

[Drug Store Cowboy]

S&W Model 1955 45 acp

Well I decided to send the pistol off for refinishing, it should have arrived there today. I took it out shooting last week and in the bright sunlight it really looked awful, so I decided to go with refinishing it.
When the gun shop calls me I will discuss the pitting issue and hopefully they can mask it satisfactorily and give me a good blue job. I will post some new pictures when I get it back.
I appreciate all of your input!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

Where did you send the Gun for Refinishing?

 

[Glynngaddy]

The pistol was sent to Fords for a makeover

 

[Glynngaddy]

UPDATE After going to Fords

New pics posted for Drugstore Cowboy after going to Fords

 

[Billkaylor1114]

Money well spent. Your dad would be proud.

 

[jack the toad]

Looks good, congrats on a nice old gun and nice refinish job.
Would you share what refinish that is and possibly costs?

 

[model70hunter]

WOW! Nice.

FYI on the 586, Muley Gil was right on about the M. The issue I believed from one ammo makers use of soft metal primers. They changed but many 586's were sent back for the Mod.

My Dad had a blue 6" that never had an issue. He would not send it back for fear it would impact the great accuracy. My Brother inherited it. He uses it a lot and his kids shoot it regularly. No issues.

 

[kihnspiracy]

Wow. Fords sure did a nice job on that one. That is a keeper.

 

[Drug Store Cowboy]

Fords refers to this finish as Master Blue (#555 polish). Their listed price for this finish is $275.00. For other types of finishes check out their web site Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing - Ford's Desert Eagle Sights. Due to high demand for their services, the wait time can be a long (mine was 5 months)...but by being patient you should will get rewarded big time.
Thank you for the compliments on how the gun turned out. My family will treasure this pistol for a long, long time. I am very happy with my decision to get it refinished.
BTW, polishing it with Renaissance wax made the finish unbelievably shiny, to the point were it was very difficult to photograph. Now I use it on all my guns.

 

[flundertaker]

The gun looks great but the hammer and trigger look wonky to me. Did they blue them as well? Surely a firm as well know and revered as Ford's wouldnt have jacked with the case hardening?

 

[Drug Store Cowboy]

They told me they did have an issue with the trigger/hammer and had to redo it or something. I am not quite sure what they did. They are not blued, however.

 

[cmort666]

Pitted? Lost cause. Pitting cannot be fixed.

Actually pitting CAN be fixed, although it's a lot of work.

One of the Digest books had some examples of extensive restorations. I think one of them was an Artillery Luger with DEEP pitting on the outside of the barrel. The pits were filled by welding, then machined down flush. The gun was then refinished. Obviously time and labor intensive, but still possible.

 

[murphydog]

Ford's did a very nice job. Cherish and enjoy that .45!

 

[Drug Store Cowboy]

I was looking at some pistol grips for this N frame revolver. From the pictures, can anyone tell me if this is a square-butt of a round-butt revolver?
Thanks

 

[bgrafsr]

I was looking at some pistol grips for this N frame revolver. From the pictures, can anyone tell me if this is a square-butt of a round-butt revolver?
Thanks

Your revolver has a square butt. Very nice re-finishing job by Ford's also.