38 special help needed

[hardknocks!]

Hello All
so i have this 38 special handed down from my grandpa.
had it checked out by gunsmith because i didnt know history. he said its in real good condition shooting wise.
I was told it hasnt been shot all that much. some research maybe here i dont remember told me its 1946-1947 cut down barrell and much older grips.
anyway i was thinking of possibly making it look better from the outside.
if i cant do the work i may have to pay someone.
it is pitted but the bore is nice. a excellent shooter even in my novice paws.
what can be done to make this thing look better as i love the gun and its the only thing i got from gramps. a couple of pics below.
thanks
Mike



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[Old Fuff]

Without a serial number (usually found on the bottom of the butt, rear face of the cylinder, and bottom of the barrel above the extractor rod; we can't tell you much more. The stocks themselves date from about 1910 through the early 1920's.

Top quality refinishing would cost in the $200 range, which is likely more then the revolver's market value. But since it was grandpa's gun, market value doesn't matter. If you are willing to spend the money, I'd get it reblued.

Check with the Smith & Wesson company first. Because of the guns age they might or might not work on it. If not, we can come up with names of others that would.

 

[hardknocks!]

Hello All
seriel # S 853XXX at all three locations you mention.
barrell measures 3"
pretty sure its a K frame.
was told front sight is not stock item and added when barrell shortened.
my grandpa did have a policeman friend and this was possibly his gun but can not confirm.
i would choose to spend a couple hundred on this gun as i cant see ever selling it.
a couple close up pics to show the pitting and such.
really appreciate your reply Mr Old Fluff.
regards

 

[Old Fuff]

The front sight is one commonly used on rifles, or as in this case, on revolvers with a shortened barrel.

Excluding the shorted barrel and pitted finish, the revolver itself is a desireable one, in that it has what is known as a "long action" that offers, or can be made to offer, an exceptionally smooth double-action trigger pull. In addition it has a positive hammer block feature that unlike earlier production allows the gun to be safely carried fully loaded, without resting the hammer on an empty chamber. Postwar production started at #S 811,120 during September, 1945 so I would date your revolver as late 1945 / early 1946. It is a Military & Police model, sometimes classified as a "pre-model 10."

Because of the serious pitting, a quality refinishing job is going to involve a lot of handwork, because the pits have to be hand-polished out before that done prior to rebluing can be started. Some of this you may be able to do yourself, rather then pay someone else to do it for you. Any way you cut it, handwork is labor intensive, but unquestionably necessary.

 

[hardknocks!]

nice

Hello
Im a bit of a novice in the gun world but i very mechanically inclined. havent ever found many things i couldnt do as far as fixin stuff. (computers excluded)
i am inclined to guess maybe this revolver could have had some trigger work as its unbelieveable smooth in double action and in single action its the bees knees.
I will try to google hand polishing and see whats involved as i like to do this type of thing. plus if i can save $$$ thats another plus.
If you could offer any suggestions on where to start the restoration i would be grateful.
i guess its too bad someone cut the barrel. :banghead:
again thanks a bunch
Mike

 

[MarkDozier]

Hardknocks you do not have a 38spl.
You have a 38 S&W special. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME....
here is a link to one arrticle:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/forgotten_38SW.htm

But you have a good gun there.

 

[1911Tuner]

Hardknocks you do not have a 38spl.
You have a 38 S&W special

Yes he does. The .38 S&W cartridge is a different aninal than the .38 Special...originally known as the .38 Smith & Wesson Special. "Special" was used to differentiate it from the older, shorter .38 Smith & Wesson. It's akin to the original designation for the .44 Magnum cartridge...which was developed by Remington Arms Company, and hence officially named " The .44 Remington Magnum."



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.38_Special

 

[earlthegoat2]

That is a serious looking revolver there hardknocks!

I love the shortened barrel and considerable wear. Glad to hear it is in great mechanical condition.

 

[W.E.G.]

You should not change one thing about that gun.

If it truly is in good mechanical condition, you should clean it, shoot it, and remember your "gramps" whenever you shoot it.

A fresh finish on a family gun absolutely ruins the nostalgia.

If you want a "clean-looking" revolver, go buy one.
Gunbroker is loaded with tens of thousands of of them.

There is only one gun that looks like your gramps' gun.
Let's keep it that way.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

I wouldn't refinish it...I'd just clean it up.

A few days ago, I bought a rusty, orange Winchester single shot. The receiver was totally orange and pretty much gummed up. The barrel had a good amount of rust, too. I tore it down and to refinish the badly worn wood. Anyway, I soaked the receiver in Ed's Red overnight and then polished on it a bit with 000 steel wool and Ed's. That didn't cut the rust too much. Finally, I just used a SOS soap pad under running water. I got it back to nice metal. I used 000 steel wool and some oil to clean up the barrel. At the end of the day, she turned out pretty sharp.....For your gun, I start with some 000 steel wool and oil to remove the rust. Once you polish the rust off, just keep it well oiled and it will stay looking good.

 

[hardknocks!]

Hmmmm

hello all
maybe i will just keep it like it is.
im in no hurry to do anything.
just finished off some old ammo from the 60s and boy there was lots of smoke
fired slow just in case.
thanks to all
Mike