Won a rough Perfected Today

[merl67]

Won this poor neglected thing today off GB for $52.00 with shipping and transfer I will have $100.00 in it. I like the long 6 inch barrel hopefully I can get it cleaned up and functioning. Seller said the cylinder would not advance. I can see an issue with the extractor. The parts shouldn't be too hard to find.

 

[hardknocks]

Looks like fun

Keep us posted.

 

[glowe]

I remember buying my first 38 Perfected and members of this Forum saying for $150 that I paid, it would be worth more than that as a paper weight. Your $50 would beat my first purchase by a long shot and I would be confident that it can be made to shoot again. Remember that the internals of that gun's frame are the same as a 32 Hand Ejector 3rd, 4th, 5th Change, and 3rd Model, depending on age. The barrel assembly was basically a 38 Double Action, 5th Model with an added center pin lock activated by the thumb latch.

 

[mnrivrat]

S&W Perfected

Thanks for posting this. I have to admit you ruined my whole day.

For well over a year I have been scouring GB for a beat up Perfected. I check on a very regular basis and have no idea how I missed this one. Might I ask how it was posted - Title ?
If you don't want to share that I understand.
I have a number of 1903 models as well as Several top breaks, but this model is my holy grail of fix-er-up into a shooter gun.
And last but not least is if you decide to sell rather fix I would be interested in a PM.

Congratulations on finding it. Hope it all works out well for you.

 

[merl67]

This is the listing title ''Smith & Wesson 38 Perfected DA Revolver 38 S&W''
in your defense Gunbroker has changed something in their search parameters, because now I now get a lot more stuff unrelated to my searches, that may have been why you missed it.

 

[glowe]

I usually search for wesson perfected. I get a few single shot pistols in the results, but the list is normally short. Also, do not rely on GB as your only source for S&W oddities. There are literally dozens of gun auctions every week out there and I can almost guarantee that the selling prices will be lower than GB. There are also many other Internet gun sales sites like Guns International and Guns America selling at fixed prices.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

Man you certainly got a great deal on that onev.Keep us informed on how the work is going and at the end you know we are going to need pictures and a range report .Thanks for posting and good luck.

 

[merl67]

Picked up the perfected today.Known issues needs mainspring to replace somebodys home made one, latch spring, extractor and center pin, two side plate screws, The worst problem though is someone tried getting the cylinder stop screw out and buggered it up pretty bad. The slot is still there so going to let it soak for a few weeks and see if it will turn. everything else came apart without any fuss.

 

[mmaher94087]

"The slot is still there so going to let it soak for a few weeks and see if it will turn." Great idea as the screw has been there since 1909+/-. For those not familiar with rust issues (aka; own sock drawer or safe queens), I offer a primer: Make sure you use a Hollow-ground bit in the driver with the largest bit that will bottom in the slot and fill it lengthwise. I have ground bits to fit as the store-bought stuff may not be proper. Hold the revolver firmly; the screwdriver squarely, and apply a boat-load of pressure on the driver. I recommend trying to tighten the screw first; then try to loosen. A twist one way and then the other will let you know if more penetrating oil is in your future; especially when the driver shaft begins to twist and the screw doesn't budge. A tap on the driver handle doesn't hurt as it will sometimes break the rust bond between parts. Heat from a hair drier helps also. It may be necessary to heat and cool the part in penetrating oil several times before the screw will move. When (not if) the screw moves; work it back and forth as it is being removed as there is a bunch of crud that has to clear the threaded frame. Above all; BE PATIENT.. it hasn't moved in 100 years. Good luck.