This is great! I find the vintage modifications incredibly interesting.
Show-N-Tell - The Modified S&Ws
- Thread starter RKmesa
- Start date
I still own this 1917, but it's no longer in this configuration. In this photo the barrel's been cut to 4.25" and a Williams 'shorty' ramp silver soldered on.
I've since removed the 4" barrel and replaced it with a factory 3". It also sports a second cylinder in .45 Colt.
I've since removed the 4" barrel and replaced it with a factory 3". It also sports a second cylinder in .45 Colt.
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Here is a 1922 vintage 44 special
Half/Breed I picked up a few weeks ago.
Second model frame with a Third model barrel.
Went back to the factory in Sept of 1946.
Letter ordered.
Half/Breed I picked up a few weeks ago.
Second model frame with a Third model barrel.
Went back to the factory in Sept of 1946.
Letter ordered.
Green Frog
Member
crsides
US Veteran, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
629 no dash, chopped on both ends, 2 5/8" bbl, action job, radiused trigger favoring the right side, rounded hammer, magna ported, yellow insert front sight, RB combats. Its all I could think of to do. Actually, I bought it this way, except replacing the red insert with the yellow. The red one went away on its own.
Charlie
Thank you Silversnake.
My son did all the work. Removing barrels from alloy frames is not as difficult as we've all heard. Both of us have done a few and never had an issue. Just use the usual precautions and common sense:
1. The barrel was a drop in. A liberal shot of some type of quality penetrant/lubricant like Breakfree, Kroil, even WD-40 (the only legitimate use for it on guns in my opinion), etc.
2. Care in driving out barrel pin so barrel threads are not upset.
3. Cautious force applied to break barrel loose to turn out. If it doesn't go, don't over apply force. Soak over night. Dry barrels will "crack" when broken loose. Soaked barrels take less force and have a much more subtle 'crack' sound indicating the penetrant makes a difference!
He glass beaded it in his home bead blasting unit with very fine media. Otherwise the alloy can be overly pitted and worn away with coarse media.
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I forgot a couple:
296 with SS cyl from a 696 to replace TI cyl. It came with extractor rod and star all fitted and assembled. Pull the yoke, slip it in and check timing. It was a drop in installation. Wanted the extra strength and I barely notice the additional weight. Older style thumb piece.
Another of my son's: 686 with 4" slender Mtn Gun barrel replacing full lug barrel. See post #1 here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...eight-barrel-l-frame-357-a.html#post136329613
296 with SS cyl from a 696 to replace TI cyl. It came with extractor rod and star all fitted and assembled. Pull the yoke, slip it in and check timing. It was a drop in installation. Wanted the extra strength and I barely notice the additional weight. Older style thumb piece.
Another of my son's: 686 with 4" slender Mtn Gun barrel replacing full lug barrel. See post #1 here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...eight-barrel-l-frame-357-a.html#post136329613
Rogue S&Ws
I love old mods that go back to a time when folks did stuff to guns that made them personal and very practical because they usually had to work with what they had. Here is a WWI .455 that had a cut barrel (2.5") and donated a frame, yoke, and side plate to a .44 spl I wanted. My best friend helped me with this one:
Or maybe a 44 Triple Lock with cut barrel, and target sights!
Or maybe a 2nd model with a cut barrel with rifle sight!
I do have a number of mods, I too, love'em!
I love old mods that go back to a time when folks did stuff to guns that made them personal and very practical because they usually had to work with what they had. Here is a WWI .455 that had a cut barrel (2.5") and donated a frame, yoke, and side plate to a .44 spl I wanted. My best friend helped me with this one:
Or maybe a 44 Triple Lock with cut barrel, and target sights!
Or maybe a 2nd model with a cut barrel with rifle sight!
I do have a number of mods, I too, love'em!
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I Got This......
13-3 with a 3" 19 barrel
17 round butt with a 2.5" 19 barrel
17-8 3" barrel
19-7 3" barrel
3" & 2.5" fixed sight 44 mag snubbies
Pre-War 3844 HD 3.5" barrel
53 round butt 22LR it may become a 3"
a 3" 681 round butt
a 3" 617-1
another shot of the 3" 44 mag fixed sight round butt
Hope you enjoy 'em.
Ned
13-3 with a 3" 19 barrel
17 round butt with a 2.5" 19 barrel
17-8 3" barrel
19-7 3" barrel
3" & 2.5" fixed sight 44 mag snubbies
Pre-War 3844 HD 3.5" barrel
53 round butt 22LR it may become a 3"
a 3" 681 round butt
a 3" 617-1
another shot of the 3" 44 mag fixed sight round butt
Hope you enjoy 'em.
Ned
Jim:
The gun shipped as an Outdoorsman with a 6.5" barrel. The barrel does number to the gun (all the readily available numbers match, including the well worn and chipped stocks). I did not take the rear sight off, but I would expect that it would number as well. On the SWCA side, Roy gave me a date as an Outdoorsman, so I would assume that the front 2.5" were cut off (along with the front sight) and the new rib/sight was soldered onto the round of the barrel over the patent date roll marks.
Love the guns posted so far - some very cool modifications.
I have two modified S&Ws . Neither are as nice as most of the ones seen here but they are effective.
First up is also my first S&W, a customize 1917, bought at an estate auction.
Front and rear sights were altered. stocks, trigger and hammer coarsely checkered and the hammer thinned out a bit. It definitely comes from an era when disposable income for most individuals was not much. I believe it may have been a service revolver for a local LEO or possibly an early Pennsylvania State trooper but have no real proof. It does shoot well enough despite a rough bore and cylinder chambers. I enjoy it immensely.
Second up is a Gunbroker buy that caught my fancy, an early 1903 32 hand ejector with a target sight conversion.
The rear sight does not number to the frame and the front sight is a simple slab of steel pinned into the modified front base. i would love to know when and who did the work as it is nicely done. Would also like to find a original style front sight for it to see it it would work.
I really don't mind the finish issues on either revolver. I see it as proof that both pieces were modified for a purpose and put to use accordingly.
John
First up is also my first S&W, a customize 1917, bought at an estate auction.
Front and rear sights were altered. stocks, trigger and hammer coarsely checkered and the hammer thinned out a bit. It definitely comes from an era when disposable income for most individuals was not much. I believe it may have been a service revolver for a local LEO or possibly an early Pennsylvania State trooper but have no real proof. It does shoot well enough despite a rough bore and cylinder chambers. I enjoy it immensely.
Second up is a Gunbroker buy that caught my fancy, an early 1903 32 hand ejector with a target sight conversion.
The rear sight does not number to the frame and the front sight is a simple slab of steel pinned into the modified front base. i would love to know when and who did the work as it is nicely done. Would also like to find a original style front sight for it to see it it would work.
I really don't mind the finish issues on either revolver. I see it as proof that both pieces were modified for a purpose and put to use accordingly.
John
keith44spl
Member
Ok,
Short Action O/D now a 44 Special
Trans. O/D now a five inch brushed nickel 44 Special
HD now a 45 Long Colt
HD now a 44 Special,
From top to bottom....Pre-27 45 Long Colt, 27 44 Special, RM bobb'd back to 3 1/2 "
27 as a 45 ACP & 45 LC,
.
RM to 44 Special
Some sight treatments for some of the above revolvers,
http://s420.photobucket.com/user/keith44spl/media/IMG_0047-2.jpg.html.
Short Action O/D now a 44 Special
Trans. O/D now a five inch brushed nickel 44 Special
HD now a 45 Long Colt
HD now a 44 Special,
From top to bottom....Pre-27 45 Long Colt, 27 44 Special, RM bobb'd back to 3 1/2 "
27 as a 45 ACP & 45 LC,
.
RM to 44 Special
Some sight treatments for some of the above revolvers,
http://s420.photobucket.com/user/keith44spl/media/IMG_0047-2.jpg.html.
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Here are a couple of 629-1 that started life as 8 3/8" 44 mags
This one is now a 45 Colt/ACP with a cut cylinder and 4" barrel
This one is now a 45 Colt with a 5" barrel
Here is my 45 combat. a 1917 with chopped 1950 barrel and cutdown grip frame.
And here is my Brazilian made into a 45 Colt/ACP carbine
My 455 Triplelock got reamed and recessed to 45 Colt before I got it.
I also have a 10-2 that sports a 4" barrel, round butt and recessed model 19 cylinder.
There are several shooter grade 28s in the safe and a couple 45 barrels that will be making a trip through my shop.
This one is now a 45 Colt/ACP with a cut cylinder and 4" barrel
This one is now a 45 Colt with a 5" barrel
Here is my 45 combat. a 1917 with chopped 1950 barrel and cutdown grip frame.
And here is my Brazilian made into a 45 Colt/ACP carbine
My 455 Triplelock got reamed and recessed to 45 Colt before I got it.
I also have a 10-2 that sports a 4" barrel, round butt and recessed model 19 cylinder.
There are several shooter grade 28s in the safe and a couple 45 barrels that will be making a trip through my shop.
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A few more oddballs
My .32 (Pre model 30) kit gun:
.455 Triple Lock with target conversion with model 1917 ACP cylinder installed and .44HE conversion by same unknown gunsmith:
Bob
My .32 (Pre model 30) kit gun:
.455 Triple Lock with target conversion with model 1917 ACP cylinder installed and .44HE conversion by same unknown gunsmith:
Bob
Modified
Member
So, this thread is probably where pretty much everything I own goes. Let me post some of my favorites.
Who am I kidding? They are all my favorites.
King did some stuff to this old SFPD gun:
I love it.
Some awesome guys in Montana did some things to this gun:
I love it. (or my Dad does, it was an awesome Christmas gift)
This is a 1902. Snub. Why yes, you are correct, this was not a thing at that time.
I love it.
I think the factory did some things to this gun. I should letter it. I really need to spend a weekend figuring out what to letter.
I love it.
I adore this thing. I *think* but can likely never prove that Herb Bradley did it. Not that it much matters, it's a glorious thing in my book.
Yeah, I love it.
I bought this triple lock because I thought the sight work was super cool. Turns out it has a lot more history then I thought, and I still have to find out if there is more.
It's maybe my very favorite gun, it's hard, I think I have maybe a top 5. Or they are all my favorite.
Good heavens I'm not a well man.
King did things to this. This gun was the cause one of the very rare times in my adult life that I truly felt again like a child on Christmas morning.
I love it dearly.
Who am I kidding? They are all my favorites.
King did some stuff to this old SFPD gun:
I love it.
Some awesome guys in Montana did some things to this gun:
I love it. (or my Dad does, it was an awesome Christmas gift)
This is a 1902. Snub. Why yes, you are correct, this was not a thing at that time.
I love it.
I think the factory did some things to this gun. I should letter it. I really need to spend a weekend figuring out what to letter.
I love it.
I adore this thing. I *think* but can likely never prove that Herb Bradley did it. Not that it much matters, it's a glorious thing in my book.
Yeah, I love it.
I bought this triple lock because I thought the sight work was super cool. Turns out it has a lot more history then I thought, and I still have to find out if there is more.
It's maybe my very favorite gun, it's hard, I think I have maybe a top 5. Or they are all my favorite.
Good heavens I'm not a well man.
King did things to this. This gun was the cause one of the very rare times in my adult life that I truly felt again like a child on Christmas morning.
I love it dearly.
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Here's a modder that didn't even make sense to me when I first saw it under the glass at my LGS. On inspection, it turned out to be a .455 Second Model converted to .45 Colt with target sights (Micro) added front and rear. The recoil shield was planed to accommodate the thicker cartridge rim.
I absolutely hate the profile of the front sight. One of my plans is to modify this one so the top front corner is even more rounded, then cut a vertical face deep enough to put in a McGivern gold bead. The ramp angle on the reconfigured sight blade should match the ramp angle on the sight base. I would also like to put a U-notch leaf in the rear sight, maybe with a white outline.
The goodyears certainly don't upgrade this gun, but they contribute a kind of blackout appeal to the whole package.
This other modified gun is kind of tragic and kind of interesting at the same time. It started life as a .320 Revolving Rifle (No. 413). At some point the barrel was cut to eight inches. The barrel rib was milled off except for a short piece left as a front sight base, and the forestock was sacrificed since it was now too long for the remaining steel. Without the forestock, there was no need for the squared-off mating surface, so it was severely eased to give the front of the frame a more rounded look. The detachable shoulder stock is long gone.
The front sight base was never drilled so a proper blade could be pinned in place, but there is a badly cut slot that was probably intended to permit its installation. Putting this right is another of my long-term projects.
Here's the proof it really started as a .320 RR:
I absolutely hate the profile of the front sight. One of my plans is to modify this one so the top front corner is even more rounded, then cut a vertical face deep enough to put in a McGivern gold bead. The ramp angle on the reconfigured sight blade should match the ramp angle on the sight base. I would also like to put a U-notch leaf in the rear sight, maybe with a white outline.
The goodyears certainly don't upgrade this gun, but they contribute a kind of blackout appeal to the whole package.
This other modified gun is kind of tragic and kind of interesting at the same time. It started life as a .320 Revolving Rifle (No. 413). At some point the barrel was cut to eight inches. The barrel rib was milled off except for a short piece left as a front sight base, and the forestock was sacrificed since it was now too long for the remaining steel. Without the forestock, there was no need for the squared-off mating surface, so it was severely eased to give the front of the frame a more rounded look. The detachable shoulder stock is long gone.
The front sight base was never drilled so a proper blade could be pinned in place, but there is a badly cut slot that was probably intended to permit its installation. Putting this right is another of my long-term projects.
Here's the proof it really started as a .320 RR:
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Another cut down Victory war surplus, bought,converted and carried by FBI SA George Gillum who started out his FBI career in Rock Springs, Wyoming and after getting married in 1948, was transferred to Las Vegas where he served until he retired in 1970. He served in Nevada at the time when Las Vegas was becoming 'Vegas' with all the Mafia ties and influences. His niece, Cami Hay, from whom I acquired George's revolver described him as the "tough, silent type that no one messed with, at least more than once." He must of been pretty tough actually having served and survived in Vegas all those early years.
Chuck
Chuck
bracebeemer
Member
A 2nd model H.E. 44 special with King rib and double cockeyed hammer.
jebstuart
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I forgot a couple:
296 with SS cyl from a 696 to replace TI cyl. It came with extractor rod and star all fitted and assembled. Pull the yoke, slip it in and check timing. It was a drop in installation. Wanted the extra strength and I barely notice the additional weight. Older style thumb piece.
Another of my son's: 686 with 4" slender Mtn Gun barrel replacing full lug barrel. See post #1 here:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...eight-barrel-l-frame-357-a.html#post136329613
I have an as-new 296 and was wondering what I would ever do with such a thing. Now I know thanks to Hondo - spend more money on the blame thing!! That will actually make it compatible with heavier bullets though, I bet-cha!
I could solve that funny looking hammer problem for you. [emoji1]Started out as a plain old .38 M&P. A 4" target barrel, target sights, funny looking hammer and mystery grips have been added.
Regards,
Bruce
Yeah, just trade him $200 or so for that hammer....
I do shoot heavier bullets in it than recommended, they just need a good crimp to keep from pulling under recoil. The little added weight of the SS cyl no doubt helps a bit as well.
I really disliked the look of the Ti cyl with its funny shaped flutes. And especially the manual warning about not disturbing the finish when cleaning for fear of weakening its strength!
Seriously, what is that? An I-Frame dressed up to look like it's biggest brother N-Frame?
silversnake
Member
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Hondo44,
Thank you for showing the steps.
That's far beyond my level of competence but I know a local gunsmith who does barrel work on older Smiths who could easily manage that.
My Pre-43 is far from needing a refinish at this point but its nice to know I have the option in the future, since it's one of my favorite revolvers and gets carried quite a bit in the field. The double action is super smooth, far better than the newer J-frames I've handled.
I hope your son enjoys his just as much!
It's an N frame. See the large flat area on the side of the frame (also on the yoke on the other side) from where the extractor rod protrudes?
Short barrel and grips shortened.
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Regarding the original post. . .
Now, tell me again who invented the "Baughman Ramp."
If you recall, Roy Jinks many years ago showed a diagram that an ordinary customer wanted for a front sight on his "357" Magnum. That drawing looked almost exactly like the "Baughman Ramp" on the King Base, but unfortunately for Frank Baughman, that diagram was sent to S&W quite a long time BEFORE Mr. Baughman asked for the ramp that ultimately would bear his name.
I suppose S&W figured they would get more mileage out of a ramp named after the FBI firearms training guy. I mean, can you imagine the "Smith Ramp" or the "Jones Ramp" front sight?
Personally, I think the work done on the OD is outstanding in both craftsmanship and appearance.
Good show!
Now, tell me again who invented the "Baughman Ramp."
If you recall, Roy Jinks many years ago showed a diagram that an ordinary customer wanted for a front sight on his "357" Magnum. That drawing looked almost exactly like the "Baughman Ramp" on the King Base, but unfortunately for Frank Baughman, that diagram was sent to S&W quite a long time BEFORE Mr. Baughman asked for the ramp that ultimately would bear his name.
I suppose S&W figured they would get more mileage out of a ramp named after the FBI firearms training guy. I mean, can you imagine the "Smith Ramp" or the "Jones Ramp" front sight?
Personally, I think the work done on the OD is outstanding in both craftsmanship and appearance.
Good show!
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