Ugliest gun - but flawless operation!

[Holden6v8]

Don't usually gamble on something that looks like this, but got it at a right price. 1967 Model 58 under all that. Actually the tightest cylinder lockup on any Smith I ever owner, smooth action and minimal wear inside. Seems like a liquid wrap or the like, not ready to try to see what's under it!!

 

[John Patrick]

If it works, it works…

 

[41mag657ss]

Think you meant 38

 

[swagmeister]

If that were a Model 58 (.41 Magnum), I wouldn't want to shoot it!!! But it definitely would be one bad carry pistol.

 

[gwpercle]

It doesn't look like my model 58 ( my avatar)

Are you sure it's chambered in 41 Magnum ?

No S&W revolver Looks Bad ... Some just look Better Than Other's !

A little CLP and some TLC and it will clean up just fine !

Gary

 

[T44spl]

A shrouded 38 shrouded in Spiderman's webbing... What exactly is that covering the gun, & what kind of discount did you get for taking this off someone's hands? Looks like a stainless steel cylinder, I Don't think that came from factory that way though.

 

[s&wchad]

Stainless cylinder model 38...

It could be a surplus Michigan State Police gun with a dipped finish on the frame and barrel.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Love it!

Don't usually gamble on something that looks like this, but got it at a right price. 1967 Model 58 under all that. Actually the tightest cylinder lockup on any Smith I ever owner, smooth action and minimal wear inside. Seems like a liquid wrap or the like, not ready to try to see what's under it!!View attachment 662998

I would have to put some pearlite or even better black mother of pearl stocks on it.
I concur with the opinion that it is a Model 38 or a Model 49 Bodyguard.

Kind Regards,
BrianD

 

[Holden6v8]

Yeah, typo!!`

It is a Mdl 38, stamped on frame in correct place. S/N puts it mid 1967 according to the Forum gurus.
Cylinder is stamped with the V to differentiate stainless, but having looked inside yesterday other parts are not stainless or bare aluminum. What are the characteristics of the MSP guns...I guess that question would apply if it were a 58 instead.
Internals are almost as new. The wrap or whatever it is actually has skulls of various description, inside areas are plain flat white. Strikes me as a liquified wrap over primer. Purchased for less than $400, which turns out to be great for the action condition....Any ideas about soaking it off?

 

[dsf]

I can't speak to the attributes of a Michigan statie Model 38 but this is mine. Am out of town, don't recall the serial number but recall it's in the correct range, puts it about 1966 IIRC.



Mine has the conventional (not flat type) thumb latch and diamond grips. Which I suppose on your gun could have been swapped out.

Is the S&W monogram stamped on the right side of the frame?

If I had a revolver that was in rough shape, I think I'd leave the cylinder alone. Inevitable that turn lines are going to score it up. Doing a stainless or blued replacement would make sense.

 

[DWalt]

If acetone or MEK won't remove it, it probably won't dissolve in anything. Methylene Chloride is the active ingredient in commercial paint removers, that also may or may not work on whatever the coating is.

 

[Electraclyde]

These were issued to most MSP troopers as pocket back up guns. If you were ever stopped by one of the MSP, as they approached your car, one hand was in a pocket, gripping one of these. (Don't ask me how I know.) Some troopers elected to carry somethin else, but most carried these. Good friend of mine carries a 2 shot .22 mag derringer.

 

[Holden6v8]

dsf---do I see a stainless cylinder in your pic? if so, mine might be original! Can anyone confirm the MSP guns had stainless cylinders? It would make sense as this one was carried a lot and not fired much at all.

 

[gmborkovic]

OK, its a m-38 with rubbers? Right. From the pic, it looks like Saran Wrap.
Cant you just peel the plastic off?

 

[cometpx4]

Looks Matter

Are you sure that's a gun ?

 

[Muley Gil]

Looks like a good pocket gun. I'd stuff it in a good holster, put it in my pocket and forget about the finish.

Buy ammo instead.

 

[SmithNut]

Here's one of the Michigan State Police guns.

Enjoy.............

 

[smoothshooter]

I'd say that stuff on the gun is residue of some old sort of preservative soaked wrap or something that has broken down and deteriorated.

 

[CajunBass]

That's not even close to the ugliest gun I've ever seen. There's what looks like a face down by the yoke. Sort of reminds me of the "monster from the Id" from Forbidden Planet.

 

[Holden6v8]

Dang...SS cylinder matches the MSP gun...Even better provenance....The wrap, or whatever it is, has skulls of various appearance and size. Can't imagine the OE finish being so bad it needs this. Will be cautiously working on removal...Otherwise a perfect working gun, no worries about the finish!!