Why buy a beat up S&W with compromised finish?

[bobbyd]

I recently picked up a decades-old Model 14 with less than 50% remaining finish, some pitting and a bulge in the barrel. The price was right and my rationale was that it would be a good foundation for some future project.
The action was super smooth, likely just from a lot of use, so I cleaned it up and gave it a range test. Gun is capable of 2" groups at 50' offhand and just thrives on the tried and true 2.8gr Bullseye, 148 HBWC load.
While I have a whole pile of better looking S&W's, I don't think that any of them have provided more giggles and grins than this one.
Having and holding a bunch of prime specimens is one thing but there needs to be a fun factor mixed in as well and working with some of these old veterans can provide that.

 

[daddy bear]

Bought a 60, no dash at a pawn shop a while back. The gun had a little rust on it. It cleaned right up with no Pitts.

Bought a nickel air weight Chief that was perfect, except the cylinder would not open. Removed the stocks, shot it full of brake cleaner to dissolve the grease that had solidified. Opened and cleaned it. Good as new.

Each of these cost $140. Pawn shops are in the money business. I figured they loaned a hundred and priced the guns described for loan plus interest, to get them gone and do it all over again.

The only gun I have ever refinished was Dad's 1920s Winchester single shot .22. It was flat worn out. I bought a new stock, had some welding done to rebuild the action, relined the barrel, and had it blued. Good as new. He much approved of the rebuild, then promptly handed it to my nephew, who was his eldest grandson.

I could likely bought a nice used one for half what that job cost, but then, it wasn't about the money.

Jack