thanks to grumpy mike for reminding me why i dont post. there are a lot better ways of saying things then the one you used. look at things for what they can be not what they are. i thought i was back in grade school when kids would laugh at me for asking the teacher questions. funny no matter how old you get there are still mean kids.
What might we have here?
- Thread starter Wilmoe
- Start date
Its like the line from the Riverboat Gambler song:
"You got to know when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em."
On this thread, I'm folding 'em.
Mike Priwer
"You got to know when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em."
On this thread, I'm folding 'em.
Mike Priwer
Green Frog
Member
Well Wilmoe, there was certainly a lot of interest stirred up by your posting. I will add my comment to the general chaos and let you take it for what it is worth (probably about what you paid for it! 
) I find that it is hard to find a good project S&W upon which one can build a good custom gun in a desirable caliber and configuration. If that revolver is priced very cheaply as appropriate to condition and is as solid as you imply, you could get it shooting for a very reasonable price (assuming you have access to a supply of vintage parts.) That, and a set of suitable grips could be an easily accomplished first step. A good sand blasting and matte blue would then make this a dandy carry gun in an undeniably authoritative caliber.
No one could ever accuse you of damaging a collectible, messing with history, etc, etc.
If it were offered to me at anything like a cheap price, I would jump on it, but then again talk is cheap... if you are interested in selling it, drop me a PM with price and particulars.
Froggie
) I find that it is hard to find a good project S&W upon which one can build a good custom gun in a desirable caliber and configuration. If that revolver is priced very cheaply as appropriate to condition and is as solid as you imply, you could get it shooting for a very reasonable price (assuming you have access to a supply of vintage parts.) That, and a set of suitable grips could be an easily accomplished first step. A good sand blasting and matte blue would then make this a dandy carry gun in an undeniably authoritative caliber.No one could ever accuse you of damaging a collectible, messing with history, etc, etc.
If it were offered to me at anything like a cheap price, I would jump on it, but then again talk is cheap... if you are interested in selling it, drop me a PM with price and particulars.Froggie
Retired LTC USAR
US Veteran
If I had this, I would try to locate parts for it and at least restore so it would be a shooter............not sure if I would have it refinished.......but I would not think it would cost more that a couple of hundred to make it presentable.
We haven't really made any decisions about the disposition of this old Smith but we certainly appreciate all the interest that's been shown in it. This piece of junk has certainly whetted a few appetites, judging by the number of PMs we've received...
Our purpose in joining and posting here was to glean the knowledge of those more familiar with what we might have. To maybe share something a little interesting and unusual with those who appreciate the marque. We weren't really looking for a valuation or a buyer.
It wasn't "hidden." It was just sitting in a drawer of guns needing parts/repair that no one had bothered with in quite some time.
Our purpose in joining and posting here was to glean the knowledge of those more familiar with what we might have. To maybe share something a little interesting and unusual with those who appreciate the marque. We weren't really looking for a valuation or a buyer.
It wasn't "hidden." It was just sitting in a drawer of guns needing parts/repair that no one had bothered with in quite some time.
D R Greysun
Member
Old Colt DA Revolver!
Reading through this thread takes me back to a time I stumbled across an 'old' Colt DA .41 LC, prewar I'd have guessed. No grips broken hammer spring & IIRC the cylinder wouldn't stay latched. Dirty but not rusty been in a tool box drawer for who know how long. My friend was in his 80's & mention bring it back from Japan after WW2. To me it was an old junk gun, I couldn't even tell you what it was other the Colt DA .41 Colt Long. IF, I had offered $25 for it, he would probably have given it to me. Oh well, we live and we learn! ;-)
D R
Reading through this thread takes me back to a time I stumbled across an 'old' Colt DA .41 LC, prewar I'd have guessed. No grips broken hammer spring & IIRC the cylinder wouldn't stay latched. Dirty but not rusty been in a tool box drawer for who know how long. My friend was in his 80's & mention bring it back from Japan after WW2. To me it was an old junk gun, I couldn't even tell you what it was other the Colt DA .41 Colt Long. IF, I had offered $25 for it, he would probably have given it to me. Oh well, we live and we learn! ;-)
D R
Jack Flash
Member
Very good thread! Obviously, there are a lot of different viewpoints, expressed frankly and honestly. One thing this Forum has taught me is not to be too thin-skinned. 
Most people don't mean anything insulting or personal, so I don't take it that way. If I did, I would have left this Forum long ago.
Anyways, about the gun:
I sure would be interested in buying, but at a "parts gun" price, of course. I will not bother to PM 'cause it sounds like your PM box already overfloweth.
Most people don't mean anything insulting or personal, so I don't take it that way. If I did, I would have left this Forum long ago.
Anyways, about the gun:
I sure would be interested in buying, but at a "parts gun" price, of course. I will not bother to PM 'cause it sounds like your PM box already overfloweth.
Retired LTC USAR said "If I had this, I would try to locate parts for it and at least restore so it would be a shooter..." I thinks that's the best advice I've heard yet. I'm sure a few of our members have the parts you need amongst their odds and ends. They could probably even recommend a good gunsmith in your area to give it a once-over before firing it.
Me, I wouldn't worry about refinishing it, it has too much character as-is.
And of course, welcome to the Forum!
Todd
ps your responses are well spoken!
Me, I wouldn't worry about refinishing it, it has too much character as-is.
And of course, welcome to the Forum!
Todd
ps your responses are well spoken!
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I can't believe two things . One, that on that gun, in that condition,
the last two digits of the serial number would be hidden . And two,
that besides a small boat anchor, the gun has any other redeeming
features. For goodness sakes, its just a piece of junk.
Mark me down as finding no humor in the classless statement.
the last two digits of the serial number would be hidden . And two,
that besides a small boat anchor, the gun has any other redeeming
features. For goodness sakes, its just a piece of junk.
Mark me down as finding no humor in the classless statement.
To me the old 2nd Model HE is an inspiring invitation for a "project".
I would get it going well mechanically, tidy up a few things, m-a-y-b-e make it into a Round Butt, make some plain, polite, all business Circasian Walnut stocks for it, like the 1917 Stocks were, and leave it's "finish" just as it is.
I like it! If I ran across it and the price was reasonable, I'd buy it in a Heartbeat to make it my own, and put some time and imagination into it.
As others have said - there ARE many ways to 'see' an item/object/artefact even in seeing it 'as it is'...and, with this one, what I see, is it's potential, in the right hands, to be massaged into something very fun, practical and respectable for carry and for recreation.
I would get it going well mechanically, tidy up a few things, m-a-y-b-e make it into a Round Butt, make some plain, polite, all business Circasian Walnut stocks for it, like the 1917 Stocks were, and leave it's "finish" just as it is.
I like it! If I ran across it and the price was reasonable, I'd buy it in a Heartbeat to make it my own, and put some time and imagination into it.
As others have said - there ARE many ways to 'see' an item/object/artefact even in seeing it 'as it is'...and, with this one, what I see, is it's potential, in the right hands, to be massaged into something very fun, practical and respectable for carry and for recreation.
617X10
Member
The way so many people ride S&W for locks and MIM parts, I figured every post here would be positive. I've seen a lot of those Brazilian 1917's having mismatched serial numbers and no finish with price much higher than that on gunbroker.
semperfi71
US Veteran
Wilmoe, welcome to the Forum and please stay around, it's a great place to learn a lot about S&W and other firearms (and related firearms minutae) for that matter.
I think that .44 would make a rather classy small boat anchor.
It might even work as one of them things mountain climbers throw into the rocks with a rope tied on it to climb higher.
I agree with the collectors who posted here. If you are looking to make some money it probably would not do to re-finish/restore it.
But when I saw it I thought; "Put all the parts needed back into it, leave it unfinished, then look for a pair of grips that have the same panache."
It might be somehwat expensive but it would be a pretty nifty carry and conversation gun.
I think that .44 would make a rather classy small boat anchor.
It might even work as one of them things mountain climbers throw into the rocks with a rope tied on it to climb higher.
I agree with the collectors who posted here. If you are looking to make some money it probably would not do to re-finish/restore it.
But when I saw it I thought; "Put all the parts needed back into it, leave it unfinished, then look for a pair of grips that have the same panache."
It might be somehwat expensive but it would be a pretty nifty carry and conversation gun.
I could see this as a "learning project". Learning to disassemble clean, lube, and re-assemble. Determining what parts are needed, then chasing down all those needed parts. Going to gun shows and searching through parts boxes. Getting books and reading up the specific model and calling the parts by the correct nomenclature. You would have to set dollar limits on what you spend for parts, but most parts dealers are anxious to get rid of those well worn but still serviceable parts. They don't need to be pristine.
Jim Watson
Member
Questions of condition, salvability, and value aside; there are a couple of things here that mystify me. I don't have a gun of that age and there are some things that don't look right.
Is that a standard pattern ejector rod head of the period?
Are the sideplate screws on those guns as small as these look?
Is that a standard pattern ejector rod head of the period?
Are the sideplate screws on those guns as small as these look?
Hi Jim,
Yes, anytime after c.1929-30. See post #4.
Yes, they appear dwarfed slightly on N frames. I think especially so on a gun in the white which can tend to make the gun appear larger.
Wow, I have to say that I'm really touched by all the positive thoughts, words and encouragement. Not to mention all the interest being shown by those who see it's potential as, at the very least, a fun project.
Our inclination, at this stage, is to follow the suggestion of replacing the missing parts and slap an appropriate pair of grips onto it. The question, then, is are N-frame parts interchangeable? We're not looking to get period correct parts; just those that will fit and work... We usually buy from Numrich or Midway. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Our inclination, at this stage, is to follow the suggestion of replacing the missing parts and slap an appropriate pair of grips onto it. The question, then, is are N-frame parts interchangeable? We're not looking to get period correct parts; just those that will fit and work... We usually buy from Numrich or Midway. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Green Frog
Member
Wilmoe,
I'm not a gunsmith and don't even play one on TV, but I can tell you that using just any vintage N-frame parts will not always work. Fortunately the bulk of the parts from WW I service type N-frames (which are not too expensive) will probably work for most of what you seem to need. By and large you should be able to use almost any pre-WW II parts in this revolver with little or no fitting or alteration.
"Grips is grips" on the N-frames (at least as much so as any other frame size in the S&W line.) For instance, I have swapped a pair of custom grips (complete wrap-around) back and forth between a Model 1917 and a Model 29-2 with no problems.
Then again, it will probably be entirely too much trouble, so maybe you ought to just send the whole sorry lot to me for proper disposition.
Froggie
wraco
Member
I agree, it was a cynical remark and one I don't believe was truly meant to insult the OP but more to bring the reality of the gun to light. But in all honesty, I did get quite a laugh and I bet most of you guys got a bit of a laugh as well. Sometimes it pays not to get too serious over some off the cuff remarks but appreciate any humor that comes our way.
Wilmoe, I'd be keeping the gun handy with the idea of returning it to a shooter when parts come available from gunshows or acquaintances or guys around here. Good luck with it and welcome to the forum. .
VaRecon
Member
I think everyone on here can agree two things.
Mike knows an S&W, and that we each have our own tastes.
This gun isn't the mint condition caddy sitting in grampa's garage, but with some elbow grease and a little hard work it could certainly be a pocket cannon with a little class to boot.
Mike knows an S&W, and that we each have our own tastes.
This gun isn't the mint condition caddy sitting in grampa's garage, but with some elbow grease and a little hard work it could certainly be a pocket cannon with a little class to boot.
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