Re-Blue or Nickel Plate in Florida for .32 Hand Ejector

[HPShooter]

Hello,

I have a acquired a mechanically good as new (pre-war) S&W .32 Hand Ejector. Excellent grips, too, I have restored those. Perfect bore and muzzle crown.

However.....this revolver needs complete refinishing. It has no original blue left, barrel and some other parts have gone plumb colored.

Much more seriously, there is some light pitting and there was some surface rust which I've arrested...for the moment. Florida is not forgiving of blued firearms, even less so with those that have no finish at all.

I'd like to have this fine revolver refinished in either nickel plate, hard chrome, or, if I have to, blueing. Could anyone please recommend a first-class firm for refinishing in Florida, or at least the Southeast? There used to be a class A company in the St. Petersburg area but I understand they've moved somewhere. I do not want to Duracote or paint this revolver, but it needs some TLC.

This revolver is destined for instruction/defense purposes for the young Daughter, her friends, and other ladies in the family. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Regards,

HPShooter

 

[Shear_stress]

Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing. They're in Crystal River, FL.

http://fordsguns.com/

 

[AirForceShooter]

That Black Nickel looks amazing

AFS

 

[rmfnla]

If you go with nickle look into electroless with a bead blasted finish.

Good corrosion resistance, non-reflective and you don't have to worry about some ham-fisted monkey polishing your little Smith to death.

 

[rcmodel]

Fords doesn't employ any ham-fisted monkey polishers.

They can make it look as good as the day it came out of the factory if thats what you want them to do.

rc

 

[Oro]

There used to be a class A company in the St. Petersburg area but I understand they've moved somewhere.

You are probably thinking of APW/Cogan Custom. They were in Safety Harbor near Clearwater for a very long time, and moved to southern Alabama several years ago. Indeed, an A1 outfit and you could look into them, too. A local FFL can likely transfer/mail your gun to them for $35/$40 and they can mail it back straight to you. They have a website if you google their name. So it would only add maybe $50 total or a little more to the refinish - Gunbroker has a nice section to help you find local transfer FFL's if you do not know one already.

I point this out as Ford's is excellent, but there is a long wait and high cost associated with that which doesn't seem to mesh with your idea of using it as an instruction gun/nightstand or purse gun. I would send a 27 or similar type of revolver to Ford's and pay the cost, but for something more pedestrian I'd look for a more economical solution. I had APW/Cogan tune and hard chrome a S&W 15 that was for that same purpose about 15 years back. One of the few refinish jobs that (more than) paid for itself when I eventually sold the gun.

 

[HPShooter]

Thanks to all for taking the time to make such clear and helpful answers. As it happens, I have business in Tallahassee in the next month and will be passing right by Crystal River - will drop the piece off at Ford's.

The High Road comes through.

Best regards, and Merry Christmas!

HP Shooter

 

[Shear_stress]

As it happens, I have business in Tallahassee in the next month and will be passing right by Crystal River - will drop the piece off at Ford's.

Cool! Post some before and after pics when you get a second.

 

[HPShooter]

Will do.