Full-on restorations... whom to go to?

[Col. Harrumph]

Hello the camp!

Can anyone recommend a shop that restores S&W's? My great-grandmother's 1896 Hand Ejector is in need of a front sight, its lettering to be refreshed, and a new nickel finish. I contacted Turnbull but they apparently disdain S&W and recommended I contact Cylinder & Slide, which I did, but their web site bit-bucketed my message with an error code.

So, who else is there?

Oh, and here it is:

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't know anybody I could confidently recommend. Maybe somebody on the S&W board.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum.php

Me? I would mostly leave it alone. Yes, the previous re-nickel washed out the Marcas Registradas and incorrectly plated the hammer and trigger, but it doesn't look BAD and the factory pearls are very fine. A true restoration to factory appearance would cost a bomb.
I would get my FLG to make a front sight out of a silver dime like the old timers did and call it good for Grandma's Gun.

 

[Mizar]

Have you tried contacting them directly thru e-mail: [email protected]?

 

[dfariswheel]

Another source that's known for restoration services is Ron's....

http://www.ronsgunshop.com/

 

[entropy]

S&W?

 

[Jim Watson]

I don't think they work on discontinued models. Especially the ones discontinued over a hundred years ago.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Leave it alone. You'll ruin its collectibility.

 

[Jim Watson]

Collectibility departed the FIRST time it was refinished... incorrectly.
He just wants Grandma's Gun to look new. $$$$