Warning: Compassionate but really good, bad and ugly Model 57 Rescue

[mikepriwer]

I agree with several others - the gun is a good candidate to be sent
back to the factory for refinishing, and minor repairs. For the money,
they do a very good job. I don't know that I would repair those
grips - get a nice pair, or let the factory put on a pair.

Whatever you do, don't buff it. You will destroy all the shart edges and
corners, etc, and it will never look right again.

Mike Priwer

 

[Slyk54]

Just another guy with an opinion; I'm with the camp that says clean it, put some decent quality grips on it, replace the hammer and off you go. But then I am the kind of guy who loves old revolvers with "character"...

 

[delta-419]

I'm going to do a thread on my "Graveyard" projects. Just got my M58 back from S&W and they did a great job. It was an LEO gun that was rode hard and put away wet and was "unsafe" at any speed with zero finish and external pits on the cylinder. Same with my 38/44 HD which just arrived on Friday from Fords. Will not ever recover the funds but virtually have two custom Smiths that are works of art.

 

[Szumi]

Clean it up with steel wool, buy a bottle of Oxpho Blue from Brownells, do something with the hammer and grips.

Someone good with a tig welder might be able to build you up a hammer spur.

Szumi

 

[Scary Gary]

I say fix the hammer, clean up the rust fix or replace the grips.
Take good care of it and don't abuse it from here on out and you will forever have a loyal friend.
I live for rescuing stuff like this.
Well done Sir.

 

[DWFAN]

"The butt ugliest 57"

I'm for a glass bead, black phosphate finish. This will hide most of the pitting. That and a set of Pachmayr grips and you have a utility gun that will last forever.
DW

 

[pigbike]

Are those grips on the gun the standard or cokes?

 

[sheriffoconee]

I'm the kinda guy that would grind the hammer spur down flush, do a home park job, get a set of stocks, and enjoy it for the rest of my life....

 

[dacoontz]

Are those grips on the gun the standard or cokes?

Yes, they are Cokes. The earliest of the 57's had them. I am sure DW or VM would love to get their hands on those for a good refinishing.

 

[VM]

Yes, they are Cokes. The earliest of the 57's had them. I am sure DW or VM would love to get their hands on those for a good refinishing.

Sorry Daniel but I have no desire (or talent) to do this type of work.....they are way out of my league. I send all inquiries with grips like this to DW!. And by the way, there is nothing about "refinishing" involved here - this is total restoration.

 

[dacoontz]

Sorry Daniel but I have no desire (or talent) to do this type of work.....they are way out of my league. I send all inquiries with grips like this to DW!. And by the way, there is nothing about "refinishing" involved here - this is total restoration.

They do look pretty bad now that I look twice. That left panel is hurting big time. Oh well, DW it is. I would think it would be worth the investment to have it done as these are likely original to this gun.

 

[olypenn222]

Thanks for all your feedback, most of the comments I got at the gunshow was "are you out of your mind?, why buy that junker?" decided it was not my job to educate people as to the historic value of Smiths and the brotherhood of the S&W rescue league.

Am leaning towards a bead blast, then a matt blue, (would be free, set my gunsmith's son up with a Winchester 75 for high school rifle league, yep still have those here, gunsmith can also install my target hammer, do have a extra left hand coke, (usually the right hand ones are broke), if that does not match up have a stashed set of 95% N frame cokes this revolver deserves.

Was looking for a .41 mag shooter, have 200 rounds of ammo, 300 rounds of brass, reloading dies, knew a .41 would show up sooner or later. Have been getting ready, but was expecting to have to pay a little more up front.

Thanks again, olypenn222

 

[Nightowl]

DWfan fixed a pair of old targets for me that had several chips out of them. I would think he could fix those so you would think they were new out of the box! Cokes original to the gun are worth the effort and cost of refurbishing, at least that my .02 worth.

 

[dacoontz]

Cokes original to the gun are worth the effort and cost of refurbishing, at least that my .02 worth.

My thoughts exactly even though you have a spare set. Maybe something to consider for the future with some expendable income.

And just a side note. I am in the works to buy a model 57 with sn #S248514 that currently resides up there in the Pugeot Sound area as well, also with Cokes. I will be paying slightly more as it has been packed away in a gun shop for the last 20 years and not in a wheel chair in the backyard. You have to chuckle that the previous owner chose that particular gun to pack in the side pocket of his wheelchair. I suppose it would be slightly easier to conceal in there.

 

[cuad2001]

Boy am I a sucker for Smiths

Proud new owner of the worlds ugliest and least expensive S&W model 57

Actually that one doesn't look that bad. I've seen worse brought back to life. Hell, I own one that looked scarier than that one and I have to say it's my favorite blued revolver.

From one rescue sucker to another, restore it and enjoy that baby!

 

[TACC1]

olypenn'
I vote with the majority: go ahead and get it refinished.
As far as the grips are concerned, you can't do better than DWfan.
TACC1

 

[mg357]

i am a young man who is disabled and i use a wheelchair to get around. i would certainly feel very safe carrying that model 57 around on my wheelchair.

 

[zainyD]

I know it's easy to say "restore it!" especially when it's someone else who's money is being spent, but it would be great to see this old gal restored. Do it!

 

[revolvergeek]

I'm the kinda guy that would grind the hammer spur down flush, do a home park job, get a set of stocks, and enjoy it for the rest of my life....

Exactly what I was thinking. Maybe some Pachmeyer Pro Grippers on it. It would be all business....

 

[olypenn222]

Well, it's back!, will try to get some pictures posted tomorrow.

When I saw that the barrel had to be sanded down to no S&W or .41 mag role stamps to get the majority of the pits out found another barrel, a 4" 58 barrel, the cylinder would not clean up so I also found another, a nickel one, had the frame and barrel bead blasted and matt parked, not all the pit came out.

Did some trades for most of the work. Am about $180. out of pocket on the revolver at this point, it shoots like a house afire and looks like nothing I have ever had before.