.38 S&W Topbreak Saved

[TRAP55]

This is the latest basket case rescue, a Fourth Model made in late 1907. This orphan was abused. The barrel was cut to 2", and I might add, very professionally done. Then Bubba decided to paint the black bakelite grips white, didn't like that color, so painted over the white paint, with black paint.....while they were still on the gun!
The gun was left laying on it's right side, on something damp. Then, in what I guess was attempt to clean the rust off, the gun was partially disassembled. Obviously not knowing how to reinstall the cylinder, somebody tried to beat it back on!
After some file and stone work, I got that working smooth again, and removed all the active rust....and black paint. I couldn't stand looking at those grips, and thought about getting a repro set from Vintage Gungrips. The owner didn't want to spend any money on it, he just wanted it to function, but those grips were hideous!
Not wanting to repeat the pain from having Satan snot, aka paint stripper, on my hands, I had to find another way to get it off. Fortunately for me, Bubba didn't clean the grime off the grips before he applied his artwork. So with the tip of a needle file, I carefully chipped the paint from the grips. A good scrub with soap and water, using a brass bristle tooth brush, cleaned em right up.

How I got it, with one grip, chipped clean of paint




All done, next to my Colt Detective Special

[Marquand]

Nice job! I'm glad to hear that the attempt to hammer the cylinder back in didn't totally ruin the piece. Two questions: First, is the top latch still tight? Second, what did (or what will) you do about the barrel damage?

[Enfield47]

Nice save. I can't believe how well it turned out from all of the Bubbaing that happened to it.

We have to get you acclimated to working with paint stripper. Once you get used to it, it's not so bad. Of course that could be the lacquer thinner talking.

[TRICKSTER]

[Rozzi]

Well done! I love the look of it.

[ElvenSoul]

Those are fun to shoot!

[TRAP55]

Nice job! I'm glad to hear that the attempt to hammer the cylinder back in didn't totally ruin the piece. Two questions: First, is the top latch still tight? Second, what did (or what will) you do about the barrel damage?

Marquand, The only damage to the barrel is, it's not original length anymore. You can see in the pic, whoever shortened it, did a nice job, even re-installing the sight like the factory did. The latch locks up like new, surprisingly for surviving Bubba and his paint brush, the gun is in excellent mechanical condition. Locks up tight, and the cylinder timing is right on the money.
The threads on the end of the cylinder pin were buggered from the cylinder attempting to be forced on. File and stone cleaned that up, and no wiggle on the cylinder.
Both grips have a "V" chip on the bottom originating at the grip locator pin. I just can't leave things alone, so I might fill the chips in with black AccraGlass, then buff the glass to match the bakelite.
I need to find some .38 S&W ammo and shoot it, before I have to give it back!

[VegasND]

You definitely need to shoot that one.

Nice save.

[Marquand]

Marquand, The only damage to the barrel is, it's not original length anymore. You can see in the pic, whoever shortened it, did a nice job, even re-installing the sight like the factory did. The latch locks up like new, surprisingly for surviving Bubba and his paint brush, the gun is in excellent mechanical condition. Locks up tight, and the cylinder timing is right on the money.
The threads on the end of the cylinder pin were buggered from the cylinder attempting to be forced on. File and stone cleaned that up, and no wiggle on the cylinder.
Both grips have a "V" chip on the bottom originating at the grip locator pin. I just can't leave things alone, so I might fill the chips in with black AccraGlass, then buff the glass to match the bakelite.
I need to find some .38 S&W ammo and shoot it, before I have to give it back!

Very happy to hear that you rescued that poor abused pup and plan on letting her run around the yard a bit. Here's a link to the cheapest ammo I could find with my search-fu.

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/product_info.php/cPath/65/products_id/4428

Be sure to let us know how she does!

[Grumpyoldretiredcop]

Heck of a thing to do to a nice revolver. Outstanding job of bringing it back from Bubba-land the state in which it came to you!

Edited after seeing Trap's post below - can't call that "Bubba" in any sense.

[TRAP55]

WOW!
You know how us C&R collectors are always saying, "If this gun could only talk"?
The gun belongs to my boy's best bud Chris. I told Morgan yesterday to call Chris and get me some history on where this thing came from.
He called today and filled me in. I'm shamefully taking back any reference to "Bubba" I said before.
The gun belonged to Chris' grandfather who was stationed in the Philippines when WWII broke out. Knowing the Japs were about to over run the islands, the gun was painted to protect it from the moisture, wrapped in rags, and buried.
Chris' grandfather, and his father, who was about 6 or 7 at the time, survived the Bataan Death March! I've met his dad, and never had a clue.
When the war ended, they retrieved it. Some water had got under the paint on the right side it was laying on. It was taken apart to be cleaned, and never re-assembled. That's why it's in excellent mechanical condition, it hasn't been shot in 70+ years! They never cleaned the paint off, fearing they would do more damage. This job just got paid for in full, with that history. Balance is going to be a cold beer and the rest of the story.
I emailed him the pics, and he couldn't believe it was the same gun. Both he and his dad are excited to shoot it now.
Marquand, thanks for the link, that's the cheapest I've seen it!

[BajaJames83]

thats a cool little project you got there

[aghauler]

WOW!
You know how us C&R collectors are always saying, "If this gun could only talk"?
The gun belongs to my boy's best bud Chris. I told Morgan yesterday to call Chris and get me some history on where this thing came from.
He called today and filled me in. I'm shamefully taking back any reference to "Bubba" I said before.
The gun belonged to Chris' grandfather who was stationed in the Philippines when WWII broke out. Knowing the Japs were about to over run the islands, the gun was painted to protect it from the moisture, wrapped in rags, and buried.
Chris' grandfather, and his father, who was about 6 or 7 at the time, survived the Bataan Death March! I've met his dad, and never had a clue.
When the war ended, they retrieved it. Some water had got under the paint on the right side it was laying on. It was taken apart to be cleaned, and never re-assembled. That's why it's in excellent mechanical condition, it hasn't been shot in 70+ years! They never cleaned the paint off, fearing they would do more damage. This job just got paid for in full, with that history. Balance is going to be a cold beer and the rest of the story.
I emailed him the pics, and he couldn't believe it was the same gun. Both he and his dad are excited to shoot it now.
Marquand, thanks for the link, that's the cheapest I've seen it!

TRAP, Great restoration and story! If I was coming down the hill I'd bring ya abox of 38 S&W, got a few in the garage for my Enfield. Won't be getting a long run of days off for awhile though.

[TRAP55]

aghauler, appreciate the offer!
I just remembered the Vallejo Gunshow is this weekend, have to take a run over there and see who has what.

[G-Man WC]

Trap, very nice restoration.
The design was ahead of it's time.
--g