Justin T
Member
Clean it and shoot it. Don't even bother with refinish. It doesn't care. And why mess with a good thing?
Shoot It or Scrap It ??
- Thread starter Rikkn
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terry_tr6
Member
i say wrap friction tape around it for a grip to keep it in character and make sure it's visible at the range. Talk about getting street cred!
SAFireman
Member
Looks like a great foundation for a custom pre-war snubby 
jjmIII_Ruger
Member
I'm an old guy that likes projects! I am also an engraver, would love to refinish the old girl and engrave it! Please don't part it out, I have refinished some really beat up pieces, one that had taken a tumble down cement stairs! It can be done if one has the time! We could make it a picture project for the form! Just to show what can be done to save something like this. Best regards, John.
Inland7-45
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I have an M&P Target 2nd change that was given to me. It has about the same amount of pitting as your .44 HE. I have had the gun for over 40 years and at some point long before I got it it was reblued over the pitting.
It is the ugliest gun in the collection but it has a nice smooth DA pull, locks up tight and has good bore. It is fun to shoot and hits where it looks. It is a poor to fair condition representative piece. It is a model that you don't see every day and is the oldest Smith in my collection. I enjoy collecting Smith and Wesson revolvers that show the development and changes to the DA revolver designs.
If your .44HE is safe to shoot I would look for a decent set of grips and enjoy shooting it,
It is the ugliest gun in the collection but it has a nice smooth DA pull, locks up tight and has good bore. It is fun to shoot and hits where it looks. It is a poor to fair condition representative piece. It is a model that you don't see every day and is the oldest Smith in my collection. I enjoy collecting Smith and Wesson revolvers that show the development and changes to the DA revolver designs.
If your .44HE is safe to shoot I would look for a decent set of grips and enjoy shooting it,
Green Frog
Member
It's a desirable model and you probably won't be able to do anything to it that would harm its collector value. Very few folks would complain about changes you would make to it, so if ever a piece screamed out "project gun" this would be it. I don't think you're going to be spending money on a set of Kuracs grips, but lots of good affordable stuff is out there for N frames. 
Froggie
Froggie
Teddydog
Member
Was it in a fire?
rob
rob
Two words: Truck gun. 
As rounded as the side plate seam is , I would not spend money on refinishing.
Give it the old Ed's Red long bath , then ...
If it were my gun - I know it isn't but isn't that the context for opinions...?- I would scrub vigorously with bronze wool and Flitz to "de-rustify" it , then rub it down with oil and shoot it. Maybe try the bronze wool with penetrating oil first ... you get the idea.
No way would I part it out if it functions.
Give it the old Ed's Red long bath , then ...
If it were my gun - I know it isn't but isn't that the context for opinions...?- I would scrub vigorously with bronze wool and Flitz to "de-rustify" it , then rub it down with oil and shoot it. Maybe try the bronze wool with penetrating oil first ... you get the idea.
No way would I part it out if it functions.
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AJ
US Veteran
Two words: Truck gun.
Thanks for concurring with Post 13.
J. R. WEEMS
Member
BENCH IT???
No, dont leave it on the bench.
Clean it up best you can and put it back into service. Would make a great truck gun. JMHO
No, dont leave it on the bench.
Clean it up best you can and put it back into service. Would make a great truck gun. JMHO 
I like the engraving idea. Maybe Wolf and Klar style. Some imitation steerhead grips?
I look for ugly cheap cool old shooter projects like that clean them up, new springs if needed and rust blue them
it's cheap (almost free really) easy (no special anything needed) durable (tougher than hot blue not quite a durable as parkerizing)and looks good (satin black used on custom shotguns) plus you can touch up rust blue if you use it as a truck gun, toolbox gun, or drop it on a concrete driveway
it's cheap (almost free really) easy (no special anything needed) durable (tougher than hot blue not quite a durable as parkerizing)and looks good (satin black used on custom shotguns) plus you can touch up rust blue if you use it as a truck gun, toolbox gun, or drop it on a concrete driveway
Major 2
Member
I'd absolutely keep it ...look at it as a Rat Rod if you will, as the gearheads call their jalopies.
I have a rat rod ... an Armas Garantazadas
1924 Eibar Spain 38 Long Revolver... Spanish Revolution era
It was later captured in Cuba 1959-60.
I wall hang it.
I have a rat rod ... an Armas Garantazadas
1924 Eibar Spain 38 Long Revolver... Spanish Revolution era
It was later captured in Cuba 1959-60.
I wall hang it.
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Being what it is,,a 44spcl and a 3rd Model, I'd refinish it to get it back to the nice flat surfaced, sharp edged piece it once was.
The front sight blade repair is easy.
Then I'd make a set of grips for it. Staying with the style of the period in nice Euro Walnut or maybe some of the new Ivory Resin-S. The latter is a very nice sub for the real stuff if you can't get it or don't want to use it.
Then I'd top the project off with a simple but elegant engraving pattern,,maybe follow one of the S&W patterns from that time. Or just a simple non-factory pattern I'd draw up.
Then either nickel plate or a blued finish.
I love project guns! and here's a perfect candidate.
If you have to pay someone else to do all the work it won't be cheap or financially worth it (profitable). Projects rarely are.
But that wasn't the question
The front sight blade repair is easy.
Then I'd make a set of grips for it. Staying with the style of the period in nice Euro Walnut or maybe some of the new Ivory Resin-S. The latter is a very nice sub for the real stuff if you can't get it or don't want to use it.
Then I'd top the project off with a simple but elegant engraving pattern,,maybe follow one of the S&W patterns from that time. Or just a simple non-factory pattern I'd draw up.
Then either nickel plate or a blued finish.
I love project guns! and here's a perfect candidate.
If you have to pay someone else to do all the work it won't be cheap or financially worth it (profitable). Projects rarely are.
But that wasn't the question
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Any functioning firearm (no matter how ugly) isn't a "parts gun", unless you just want to be mean.
Good suggestions above. To me:
Step 1. Check mechanical function, bore/chambers, flush out internals?/lubricate. Sounds as though you did this already.
Step 2. Hard to tell if there is active rust or just a really worn finish. Of the ones I've seen it has been the exception to see a 3rd model that has not been redone; they seem to have been used hard in harsh conditions. If rusty, the chemical soak sounds like a good plan.
Step 3. Sky's the limit. You could stop at a nice coat of wax for future rust prevention, a home blue +/- metal rehab, or phosphate finish and skip the metal work. Or do the expensive restoration.
Let us know how things turn out!
Good suggestions above. To me:
Step 1. Check mechanical function, bore/chambers, flush out internals?/lubricate. Sounds as though you did this already.
Step 2. Hard to tell if there is active rust or just a really worn finish. Of the ones I've seen it has been the exception to see a 3rd model that has not been redone; they seem to have been used hard in harsh conditions. If rusty, the chemical soak sounds like a good plan.
Step 3. Sky's the limit. You could stop at a nice coat of wax for future rust prevention, a home blue +/- metal rehab, or phosphate finish and skip the metal work. Or do the expensive restoration.
Let us know how things turn out!
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I'd start there and shoot it. Then decide on the rest. If I liked shooting it I'd keep going....
AJ
US Veteran
Sell it to me. You are about 100 miles north of me.
.357magger
Member
I think the OP has been given great advice on cleaning up to shoot, or ideas as a project gun, but...
Can you shoot a picture of your entire wall?
I like it.
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