Pawn Shop Gun. Why Drill Holes in S&W Revolver?

[Smith357]

While out down a little gun hunting yesterday I ran across a S&W 29 .44 Magnum in a pawn shop located deep in the hood. Someone drilled holes in the frame of this poor thing in a place I have never seen holes drilled. I asked the owner who is a real good guy, but he had no information on the guns history. I asked if I could snap a few shots of it to post on a few forums to find answers as to "Why someone would drill holes in those spots".

So here are the pics.

 

[kingpin008]

Without knowing who the previous owner was, there's really no way to tell why the holes were drilled. Sometimes idiots just have to make their mark on the things they own, ya know?

 

[classrm6]

Without knowing for sure, just a guess mind you. It looks from the holes not being threaded and the marks on the the frame that it was either to mount something on the pistol itself or mount the pistol to something.

 

[Claude Clay]

city rats--have to let it drip dry of course

or perhaps he did not wish to damage the grips by notching them......

attachment points for his remote firing mounting gizmo located behind the grill of his pimped lexus
........before it was repoed

 

[Old Fuff]

It's hard to say. The poor revolver has obviously been abused in more ways then one. Possibly he had some kind of trigger stop in mind.

Anyway they're is no known cure for stupid. :banghead:

 

[phonesysphonesys]

Maybe to try and block the trigger? Maybe didn't know how to remove side plate to lube the innards?
Dumb!

Semper Fi

 

[ilbob]

Maybe to try and block the trigger?

that was my thought. some kind of padlock.

 

[-v-]

Its the third hole so he can convert his revolver to full-auto .

 

[.45Guy]

Is the asking price fairly reasonable?

 

[WardenWolf]

Does this revolver normally come with a lock? That hole appears to be shaped exactly like an integral gun lock.

 

[tavernius]

perhaps to accomodate the stud for a "bridgeport-rig"?

 

[Acera]

My guess, homemade gun locking device. Obviously missing the lock.

 

[Paladin_Hammer]

Given the location of the holes, it looks like someone either drilled out a safety or was trying to drill in a hole for one. But what kind of safety would you put on a revolver in that area? Wouldn't it need to be higher to block the hammer?

 

[Average Joe]

Looks like some sort of attempt to make a trigger lock.

 

[welldoya]

I would think that would be a very hard gun to sell.
What was the asking price ? I'm thinking in the neighborhood of $300.

 

[mg.mikael]

I could totally see a complete moron or yuppie walking into the pawn store and saying "cool a Magnum." Then asking the cashier, "what are the holes there for?" The clerk's response, "these holes help with aerodynamics, it makes you unholster your gun faster." LOL

 

[shotgunjoel]

You do that because you are stupid. Only reason.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Stupid or not the guy must have been rather determined, I wonder how many drill bits he went through.

 

[atblis]

Ha

This was a pawn shop right. What was the asking price for that pistol?

 

[Duke of Doubt]

I'd pay $300 for it, depending on whether that mess is residue that can be polished off or corrosion that may mean a mess. But a spot weld of the holes, some plastic wood for the chip, some polishing and some cold blue touch-up, and she could be a good find.

I'm guessing some sort of locking device, Poorly conceived, poorly executed and left on for much too long to boot. Shame.

 

[Meowhead]

That's where a sideplate screw used to sit, I think? I don't have a Smith in that model, so I'm not sure.

But I'm guessing the screw rusted in place, so the owner tried removing it by drilling from the left side of the frame. He stopped when he realized he'd also destroy the trigger, or whatever is showing there, and instead drilled into the right side.

 

[Suicide*Ride]

Looks like maybe a poor attempt to mount a rifle stock. Remember the pistol w/stock Lee Van Cleef shot in the Clint Eastwood movie - "For a Few $$$ More"?

You didn't take a picture of the bottom or back strap. The hole doesn't go all the way through so a trigger lock wouldn't work.

Look @ the hole that has a "shelf", (countersunk - on the left side), could be for the spring loaded center-pin on a brass hinge setup on the front of a stock. Ever seen a wishbone shaped clamp on the front of a stock setup for a pistol?

Notice the galvanic corrosion? Ferrous & non-ferrous metals don't mix (chrome steel & Brass, Aluminium, etc.). See the outline above the wood grips?

I'd say, remove the grips & look for more holes, mounting marks, etc. for "the rest of the story....."

 

[mnrivrat]

The holes are the remains of someone mounting a plate on both sides of the frame. That could have been for optics, laser, or shoulder stock as mentioned, but I doubt it had anything to do with trigger stops or safety.

While unsightly as is, if the residue on the frame were cleaned up and the holes properly plugged/repaired, the gun looks to be in good shooting condition. I doubt that anyone will get it as low as $300 .

 

[JWF III]

Similarly, I was at a pawn shop the other day. I saw an old top break (S&W clone) that had a hole drilled on the right side of the barrel. About 3/4 to 1" from the muzzle. Holding the gun normally, the hole was drilled parallel to the ground, and just slightly low of off center. I did not ask about it, i just shook my head and handed it back.

Wyman

 

[Clifford]

Just went and looked at my 28 and yup there was a screw there.