[Tomahawk674]

I had posted a while back that I was going to restore an Iver Johnson Safety Hammer 38S&W. The original condition was very nice, except on some spots where the nickel had peeled off and the metal underneath rusted. The gun was also missing the mainspring and the firing pin spring. I stripped the old nickel with a chemichal bath, then proceeded to sand and polish (including screws). I only went up to 600 grit and then used the a polishing compound. The goal was not to have a mirror finish, since that wasn't quite how these guns looked. After trying to replate once and failing, I caved in and sent the gun and select parts to get plated. The things that were supposed to be blued I used a cold blue paste one, which wasn't much good but I don't care much. The cold bluing has turned somewhat brown with kind of a color case hardened look, which IMO isn't so bad.

Here are the before pictures:

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=103627&d=1250627487

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=103628&d=1250627494

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=108057&d=1256659182

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=108058&d=1256659203


http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=108059&d=1256659225


http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=108060&d=1256659292


http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=108061&d=1256659308


http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=108062&d=1256659320

Hope you guys like the pics. I chose to put this here instead of the revolver forum because this gun is from around 1897 I believe, and it's strictly a black powder gun. I have found some guys that can load some 38S&W with 777 for me, and will try out the gun when I get them.

[Cosmoline]

Very nice! I've seen so many of these rotting away it's nice to see one brought back to life. They're not exactly museum pieces so no harm is done by the restoration.

As long as you stay clear of the beefed up .38-200 loads you should be fine.

[madcratebuilder]

Did Caswell use the electorless bath? Sure looks sharp. I have a old S&W break top that is nickle. It's a $50 gun with poor finish so I shoot it in guncoat. I may have to stripe and nickle it after seeing how nice yours came out.

This would look much better in fresh nickle.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d37/madcratebuilder/swhammerless01.jpg

[Tomahawk674]

Thanks!

Well, the plating was actually done by someone who works for Caswell, but they can't quite say it's a Caswell plating job, if you know what I mean. It is an electroless plating job indeed, half a mill in width. Any thicker and I'm sure the parts would have had trouble fitting together.

Also, if you want to nickel that S&W, make sure you know which parts would NOT have been nickeled, like perhaps the trigger guard, the extractor cam, trigger * internals, etc. I looked up pics of mint examples as a refference.

[BHP FAN]

Third Model S&W Hammerless? I've got one with a patina finish, [or rather lack of finish] that still shoots rather well.

[Old Fuff]

You did an excellent job of restoring that little Iver Johnson. Keep in mind that it is the so-called "old model," and restrict the loads to black rather then smokeless powder. It would be a shame to crack the cylinder at this point.

[Donny]

I love those old guns. I have a H&R in .38S&W that still shoots pretty well. Still a good cartridge for SD in my opinion.

Don

[messerist]

HELLO Anybody from Uberti or Pietta looking in? Be a really cool replica. I'd buy one!:)
Beautiful gun!

[madcratebuilder]

HELLO Anybody from Uberti or Pietta looking in? Be a really cool replica. I'd buy one!
Beautiful gun!

I think the replica manufacturers may be afraid of the break top design. Some one would put hot loads in it, hurt themselves and want to sue.

I have seen several that are in really nice condition. Mine is fairly tight and I have put a box of .38S&W through it. Parts are very hard to find, you almost have to buy a parts gun for spares.

It's a "New Departure/Safety Hammerless 2nd Model" common name is "lemon-squeezer" because of the 1911 type safety on the back strap. Made between 1902 and 1909.

[Tomahawk674]

Uberti DOES put out some top breaks, but just look at the prices:

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/top_break.php

[BHP FAN]

I think your S&W might actually be either a third model like mine or a transitional,MCB,because of the latch.Either way, nice gun.

[Smokin_Gun]

Tomahawk674 you did a really nice job on that Iver Johnson, it looks great.
I've been eyeballin' them IJ's for a spell now and always on the prowel for the right IJ, S&W 38, or Schofield, or other breaktops to bid on.

[Tomahawk674]

Thank you SG. That gun actually ran me about $70. I know they weren't the best quality of their day, but aside from the finish, it was in mint condition. The rifling is excellent, and the internals are not worn at all. That gun must have been shot very little or not shot at all.

Keep browsing Gunbroker on collectible firearms/antiques and many top breaks show up.

[Smokin_Gun]

Thanks will do...

[bigbadgun]

Toma
That little pistol came out really nice. You did a fine job restoring that IJ

[Old Fuff]

---it was in mint condition. The rifling is excellent, and the internals are not worn at all. That gun must have been shot very little or not shot at all.

Literally hundred of thousands of these inexpensive revolvers were bought and kept in bedside table drawers for "just in case..." I estimate that over the total number (in the millions) perhaps as much as 30% were never fired. Many more had less then a box put through them. Those in poor shape are usually that way because of poor storage over decades and decades.

You guys with Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless revolvers should be aware that prices have been going way up. Those in better then average condition are in the $350 to $500 range. :eek:

[madcratebuilder]

Uberti DOES put out some top breaks, but just look at the prices:

I forgot about the Schofield, I would like one..or two.


I think your S&W might actually be either a third model like mine or a transitional,MCB,because of the latch.Either way, nice gun.

It could very well be. I should spend some time researching it. Are there other changes from the 2nd to the 3rd model?

[Old Fuff]

It was Smith & Wesson's practice to make a run of frames, number them, and put them into inventory. They would pull them out later (sometimes much later) and assemble them into complete revolvers. Therefore it isn't uncommon to find revolvers that have, or don't have, certain features relative to the serial number and the particular "change," or "model" they are supposed to fit into.

Years ago researchers examined particular models that were made over a long time period. When they discovered some kind of a change - some obvious and some not - they, not Smith & Wesson would specify a sub-model or change in descriptions they, not the company, made up. Smith & Wesson on the other hand, never junked any parts they could use, and they often used up earlier parts even after they had introduced newer ones.

Drives collectors up the wall... :banghead: :D

[kansersurvivor]

Now this gives me inspiration for my 38 IJ! These were my grandparents, 38 for my grandfather and 22 for grandmother. The 22 was pulled when my grandmother got scared by a man walking up on her, and she threw it when she pulled it, so the story goes. It was later found but the elements had taken its toll. This was in Thomasville, NC.

Well the 22 is all there but I have yet to get it to function properly. My father took the 38 to a guy he knew and he "cleaned it up". It functions just fine and is usable, though not pretty. I pulled a bullet out of one of the 4 cartridges we had and it turned out to be a black powder round.

I got some plain jane LRN 38 s&w magtech rounds and fired 10 through it. Did just fine, though at 10 yds was ALL OVER the paper. :eek::uhoh: For the record mine is a 1921 gun and is suitable for modern 38 s&w rnds.

Anyways...it not worth much but I love it. Seriously thinking about doing something similar to mine as you did yours.

Mind if I ask a general ball park on what you have it as it sits now?

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g57/kncrsr5r/020100_222800.jpg[/IMG]