Consignment score!!

[SkyHawk]

This S&W Model 31-1 revolver was put away in a drawer for 30 years, I don't think it was fired much at all because the forcing cone and bore look mint and everything under the sideplate was clean but very dry.

It was very dirty from being in a leather holster and also had a few green crustys that I was not sure would come off.

That is probably why it was marked at $250 which included the $50 Hunter 1100 holster that nearly became it's coffin, and a vintage Kerr Beverly Hills leather & fleece rug. I believe the gun may have been purchased there back in the mid 1970's.

Here it is after a complete disassembly and cleaning, and the grips hit with a little feed-n-wax - I cannot believe what I found underneath all the debris - it cleaned up beautifully. Now I am handloading some .32 S&W Long.

[SonofWWIIDI]

WOW!

[Wheellock]

That is a fantastic find. So shiny.....

[M76]

I Hate You SkyHawk!

[SilveradoColt21]

Man, everyone but me always finds the good stuff lol nice score man!

[Rob454]

So where is the before pic. We can’t give Attaboys until we see what you started with….damn rookie.

But nice score

[SkyHawk]

I needed a new caliber like I needed a new mother in law, but could not pass it up. Anyhow getting reload supplies was easy - I loaded up a few to try with Trailboss first since I have it and a lot of people use it in this caliber.

[SkyHawk]

So where is the before pic. We can’t give Attaboys until we see what you started with….damn rookie.

But nice score

Here are a couple of "before" shots. Luckily all the green stuff wiped away after a little soak in CLP, like it was never there. It is from the snaps on the leather holster doing that thing that really old button snaps do.

Next I will disassemble and clean + oil and restitch the holster because it is a really nice holster worthy of preservation.

[dfletcher]

Very nice. Is that a 3" barrel?

Looks like there's no cartridge case "recoil shadow" on the right side of the shield either.

[SkyHawk]

Very nice. Is that a 3" barrel?

Looks like there's no cartridge case "recoil shadow" on the right side of the shield either.

Yes, 3" barrel J frame which (along with the price tag) stole my heart. And yes, not much evidence of firing - but I really could not tell until I got it home and looked at it with the right lighting and magnification.

I really need to start taking my Optivisor to the gun store

[Canucky]

Outstanding.

[IVC]

Now, that's a proper blueing. They don't do it like that anymore. No lock-hole, firing pin where it's supposed to be... Good ole' times!

[IVC]

I needed a new caliber like I needed a new mother in law, ...

Well, um..., you know...

Everyone needs a new one of each you mention

[Dan_Eastvale]

Wow.
I would’ve thought a shop employee would’ve snatched that up immediately after it was put on consignment.

[SkyHawk]

Now, that's a proper blueing. They don't do it like that anymore. No lock-hole, firing pin where it's supposed to be... Good ole' times!

The pictures don't do the blueing job justice - you are right they don't do them like this anymore. Also the cylinder gap is tight, .007 - .008". I could not get a .009 feeler in

Wow.
I would’ve thought a shop employee would’ve snatched that up immediately after it was put on consignment.

I agree - I think the caliber probably turned them off. Had it been a 3" .38SPC J-frame it never would have seen the consignment shelf.