Rebarrel a S&W Hand Ejector Model 1905?

[545days]

I have a Model 1905 Hand ejector in 32-20 that has been in my family for four generations. My great grandfather once shot a robber with it in the 1920's. It has a bulged barrel, and is missing most of the finish off the cylinder. I would like to find a smith that can repair / replace the barrel and refinish (nickle) the gun.

Yes, I realize the job will cost more than the gun is worth. Yes I am willing to pay enough up front and make progress payments in order to convince the smith I am serious, and will not walk away from the deal after he has sunk time and money into the project.

That said, I am looking for someone with an excellent reputation before I make any payments in advance. Any suggestions?

 

[gyvel]

Rebarelling is not that big of a deal. If you can find an original barrel, any competent smith can install it for you. Renickeling isn't that big a deal either. I daresay you can get the whole job for under $200.00.

Check with Numrich first, as they advertise .32 calibre Smith barrels, but don't show pics. You may have to email them and find out exactly what guns they are for.

www.e-gunparts.com

 

[Radagast]

http://www.fordsguns.com/ will restore it to as or better than new. Seriously. You will pay for the service however.

Hammer It over at www.thefiringline.com has used there services and posted some excellent before and after photos. There is one thread here:
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344554&highlight=ford+hammer+it

A little searching will bring up more.

 

[StrawHat]

If you are serious about restoring that revolver, contact the Chicoine's.

http://www.oldwestgunsmith.com/gunsmith/swpage.htm

Excellent rebuilds and finishes.

The hard part for you will be finding a 32-20 barrel. Not many of them around. Sometimes they can be relined but I have not had that done. I was able to find a barrel at one of the S&W forums. You might check there.

 

[Old Fuff]

If someone tries to rebarrel one of these revolvers without the correct blocks to support the frame, a ruined gun is often the result. Do be careful who you pick.

You have two possible options if you plan to replace the barrel and cylinder. You can look for the correct ones in .32-20, which are hard to find and usually expensive when you do if they are in good shape; or you can change it to the more common and useful .38 Special. If you chose to go to the .38 the .32-20 cylinder can be rechambered to the larger size. Last I knew, Numrich (www.e-gunparts.com) had a few 6" .38 barrels that would be correct for the gun (more-or-less, a serial number would be required to be sure) that are new, and factory nickel plated. They also have other .38 barrels in various lengths, finishes and condition, but very few - if any - in .32-20 with decent bores.

 

[545days]

All,

Thanks for your replies.

Radagast : Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, my before picture will look much uglier.

Old Fuff: serial no. is 22424, so it is a Model 1905 two serial numbers before the change to Model 1905, 1st change according to Flaydermans. I have never gotten a factory letter, although I do want to do it one day. The barrel is 6-1/2". I would prefer to keep it in 32-20, as that was it's original configuration. I'll check Numrich's but would prefer to hold out for a more original barrel.

I really appreciate your replies. I have lurked here for years (posting occasionally), and have read enough of your posts to recognize the voice of reason and experience.

Thanks
545days

 

[Sport45]

There's a member here that goes by the handle Mac's.Shoot him an email or PM and see what he can do for you. I think he does electroless nickel and might not blow your budget.

 

[Old Fuff]

Given the age of the revolver, and the fact it doesn't have a heat-treated cylinder, I wouldn't consider it to be a shooter, and yes - I would also want to keep the barrel. Since you are willing to pay more then usual I suggest that you have the barrel lined if you must have a perfect bore, although this wouldn't be an important consideration to me. The bulge is part of the revolver's history, and it's the history that's important.

That said, I don't know that I would get it refinished either. I also have an early 1902 that has a Territorial Arizona background, and it looks very shopworn too. But it got that way on the border when Arizona was still a western frontier. It has been cleaned, but otherwise I wouldn't touch it.