Stripping nickel chrome off the Registered Magnum and re=finishing.updated 9/8/09

[Hammerdown]

Allen-frame,

Let me encourage you to pause the process for about a month until you have had a chance to get a letter on your gun to see just how it originally shipped. If you are going to go through the cost and trouble of restoring it, it makes sense to put a gun of that quality back as it was originally.

I can make the point by showing you an RM which I received that was a worn and badly done blue. The condition was such that I would have kept it as a shooter only. Roy's letter changed my mind when I learned that it was one of only a few (perhaps only 20-25) non-Registered Magnums which originally shipped as a nickel gun and it went to a State Trooper. I had Gene Williams restore it to the original form.

It is difficult to determine just how badly your gun was refinished. The third picture of the original nickel finish shows that the front of the rib and sight boss is rounded, but later pictures don't indicate that. Even if it has been over polished a little, a good restorer can correctly restore much of the sharpness. I can tell you that that hammer is NOT the original hammer and trigger for a Reg. Mag. When it comes to finding one, it will be difficult but not impossible. You will pay about as much for the hammer as the refinish may cost, but the value of the gun will be raised by the proper hammer.

There are limited reasons and circumstances where restoring makes sense. Returning a badly handled rare gun to better condition is one of them. Refinishing, just for the sake of refinishing isn't necessarily one.

Bob

Hello Bob
Very Sage advice here, I am in Awe with that Nickel Registered Magnum of yours, it is very Gorgeous and you should be Very, Very proud to own it. Do you shoot it ? Just Curious.... You mentioned that Gene Williams restored it for you by Putting the Nickel finish back on it. About what time frame was that work done ? I have heard in the past that Ford's in Florida did all His Nickel finish's was yours done at Ford's as well ? Best regards, Hammerdown

 

[bettis1]

Kurt,

I shot the gun before it was restored but I have not since then.

Gene did the gun in Sept. 2006 and you are correct that he had Ford do the nickel. The most important part of any refinish is in the polishing which is done before the finish is applied. Gene always did his own polishing before sending it to Ford. (The polishing is particularly important with a blue finish and a little less so with nickel since the plating will cover up some flaws.)

At the time that the gun was restored, Ford was having some problems with their delivery schedule so I think he isnt using them now. In fact, Gene spends most of his time now in building custom 1911s and tactical rifles for the local LEO departments.

Let me add that the beautiful grips on that gun are the work of Keith Brown!...but everyone could tell that by looking.
Bob

 

[Hammerdown]

Kurt,

I shot the gun before it was restored but I have not since then.

Gene did the gun in Sept. 2006 and you are correct that he had Ford do the nickel. The most important part of any refinish is in the polishing which is done before the finish is applied. Gene always did his own polishing before sending it to Ford. (The polishing is particularly important with a blue finish and a little less so with nickel since the plating will cover up some flaws.)



Let me add that the beautiful grips on that gun are the work of Keith Brown!...but everyone could tell that by looking.
Bob

Hello Bob
Ford's have always done great work in my mind, and many serious collectors have examples of their work and have conveyed this to me, in confidence of course. There was a short period of time, I heard that Horace was training his Grand son's & During that time span some how, some slipped out that should have had a little more attention paid to detail, but I have learned that now all is well as far as Top Notch quality goes at Ford's Refinishing, and Let's be Fair here, I have seen some prety lousy examples leave the factory as well over the years, that should have not made the grade as far as polishing Marks or weak stampings, so I Guess all have to learn in this world. I am anxiously awaiting one myself right now that is in their shop and being done by Horace, who is now Semi-Retired, but I asked for him to do this one for me , and he Obliged me. Horace has done Thousands of S&W's over the years, Including several of mine, so I Trust his Sharp Eye and keen skill for detail. Those Grip's are without a Doubt Better than what S&W sent on a Gun of that time frame. The Grain is striking and the checkering is Flawless. Keith Brown in my Book, is the Most Talented man I have ever seen when it comes to making grips, or restoring well worn examples of them period... I still Think you need to send a few Rounds down the Barrel of that Old Girl, Just follow up with a little Flitz, and no one will ever be the wiser... Hammerdown

 

[bettis1]

Kurt,

Thanks for the update on Fords. They have always been one of the best in the business. The difficulties which I mentioned seemed to be much more of an administrative sort than anything having to do with their quality. Glad to know that has been addressed.

Bob

 

[Hammerdown]

Kurt,

Thanks for the update on Fords. They have always been one of the best in the business. The difficulties which I mentioned seemed to be much more of an administrative sort than anything having to do with their quality. Glad to know that has been addressed.

Bob

Hello Bob
I have had nothing but excellent work and relations with Ford's for many years. I had a friend send them a heavy duty that he wanted their Master bluing finish applied to. He was trickled Pink when it returned and it did look gorgeous. About two years or maybe a little less after it was refinished the cylinder started to turn Purple in Color. Ford's gives a One Year warranty on all their refinishing Jobs and from what I have seen, No other refinisher out there Offers an iron Clad warranty Backing their work. I called Horace and told him what had happened, and he said, Simply send me Just the cylinder. I Instructed my Friend to send them just the cylinder, and it was refinished again for FREE. That spoke volumes to me on their credibility and I have used Just them ever since and been super Pleased with anything they have done for me... Hammerdown

 

[RKmesa]

Any Update

Allen:

Any Update? Also some of your photos got deleted... I am very interested in this project of yours. Thanks for taking us on the ride with you.

 

[Pontiaker]

Allen:

Any Update? Also some of your photos got deleted... I am very interested in this project of yours. Thanks for taking us on the ride with you.

Yeah me too, I have a nickle Triple Lock I need to have restored...

 

[Allen-frame]

Deleted photos ,

Hi , Richard and all. The letter request was sent in last month , and now I just wait.

I did just find out the gun shipped in April 1936 ,as a blued gun ,, but then I knew it was early 36 already.
Hopefully in a month I will get the letter and determine a direction.

RK , I know what you mean about the centerpiece of my collection. I shoot this gun and enjoy it. My greatest concern is having a safe king I can't shoot.
But I am realizing more and more that this gun does deserve an all out complete restoration.

Once I receive the letter, I will hold the stripped gun in my gloved hands ,and say a prayer. I'll know what to do. The only question is who to send it to. David Chicone? Or would Fords do an adequate restoration regarding the hand polishing required?

Thanks for your thoughts ,, Allen

 

[merlindrb]

Allen

Here are before and after pics of RM #2968 that the Dave Chicoines refinished last year, it's a 4 1/4 inch barrel. Similar problem to yours, it was badly refinished in nickel at some point, having started life as a blue gun.

Regards.

Dave

 

[Pontiaker]

Man Dave you call that a bad renickle but it looks pretty damn good to me. No over polished rounded edges, deep barrel markings, etc...Better than any of the renickle guns I have had....

 

[merlindrb]

Sorry Pointaker, misunderstanding I think.

The first pic is the gun as I purchased it, crappy refinish in nickel over what had been an originally blue gun. The side plate had been buffed so hard that the roll mark had almost disappeared.

I had Dave Chicoine and his son strip off the nickel, recut the roll marks and then blue finish it. I then put back on the original config walnut service grips and grip adapter.

The second pic shows the new shiny blue finish after the Daves ministrations. So now the gun is as close to it's original condition as I can manage.

There's an extra pic below of the right side of the gun pre restoration. I hope it shows the damage more clearly.

Regards.

Dave