Brought home a couple S&W rescues...help me clean them up! *New Pics*

Tim

Tim

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***My copy of the S&W Standard Catalog is MIA! If I let you borrow it, let me know! I think a member here has it.**** And, if someone with a copy can help me out with DOB, I'd be forever grateful!

I made a trade today that netted me 3 old S&W's that need a great deal of TLC. Help me get them straight!

The story is that these were inherited from a family member that kept them 'in a cut out in the wall'. My inexperienced eye and thumbnails tells me the rust is all of the surface variety and could likely clean up very well. However, while I've had more S&W revolver than I can count, I can't say I've ever done a restoration.

My goal would be...
- Get them ready to shoot.
- stop any further corrosion by whatever DIY means I can. I have no intention to pay anyone to do a full restoration.
- Shoot the snot out of them, or trade/sell to someone that will.

First up:

4" Model 66, no dash .357 Mag
SN: 7K838xx
Typical silly smooth double action, no push off and crisp clean break in SA. Clean bore with sharp rifling. Very minor wear on the stocks.

This one would serve my purposes as a fishing companion quite well as is.

2 great big 'ol spots of corrosion on both sides of the barrel. The rest of the gun is in terrific shape and just needs a good deep cleaning.

I'd love advice on best way to tackle that corrosion

M66_portside.jpeg M66_rightsidebarrel.jpeg M66_portbarrel.jpeg



Model 60-? .38Spcl

There's no dash on the frame, but many J-frames don't have it stamped.
SN: ADR69xx

This one is probably in the best shape and just needs a deep deep cleaning and a bit of polish. No significant issues of any sort...provided that little bit of drag on the cylinder is just gunk and not a bent crane. Again, the action is superb

This one may find BOB duty or may get passed on to a relative in need. TBD.

Best method to clean and polish?




M60_portside.jpeg M60_starboard.jpeg

Model 14-2 .38Spcl
SN: K4855xx

This one is like that girl at the bar come closing time...looks darn good until you shine a light on 'er! Pictures are definitely worse than the naked eye.

I've never worked on getting the rust off of rust blue...I have no idea really where to start on this other than super fine steel wool, light oil and a soft touch.

I'm not much into bullseye shooting anymore, this one may find a home elsewhere with someone that's into that game. Let me know if interested.

Best way to work with rust removal on a blued finish?

M14_starboard.jpeg

M14_starboardbarrel.jpeg

M14_portcylinder.jpeg

M14_portbarrel.jpeg
 
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Interested in the 14.

On the bluing I would use lots of oil on fine bronze wool to gently remove the corrosion. Use enough oil to wash away the crud, don’t rub the crud it into the finish.
 
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Best WILD guess on DOB

66 - 1974
60 - 1984
14 - 1962
 
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I can't see pictures but bronze wool will be your friend here.
 
Gasp. This looks suspiciously like a copy/paste from some other forum!! Lol. I’ll be back when there’s pics.
 
Huh. I can see the pics. They're linked from my google album. I'll upload directly in a little bit
 
I see ‘em. :cool:
 
Jeppo said:
I see ‘em. :cool:
Click to expand...

Said the blind man as he picked up his hammer and saw.... :rolleyes:

Amps 13 said:
well this was like opening up a naughty magazine but some jackbutt cut all of the pics out
Click to expand...

Agreed. Like listening to porn on the radio...

You know the saying. Pics or it didn't happen. ;)
 
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Nice acquisition, going to have to call you the Rescuer.:)
 
@Ikarus1 ...in a different thread you said, "disassemble everything and soak it in vinegar It will remove both lead from the bore and most of that rust and give it a nice dull patina ;)"

Can you say more about that? Type of vinegar, time to soak?
 
On the stainless guns.....

I've had good luck buffing out shiny spots on Ruger brushed stainless finish revolvers using a green scotch brite pad. It mimics the original Ruger finish. Now these are smiths and typically come a little more highly polished but with the surface rust and scratches you could use the scotch brite to do a uniform "brushed" finish once the rust is gone.
 
On the blued one, soak the finish in oil for a day or so then rub with a cotton cloth.
Maybe, if the finish does come back use an old piece of 4/0 steel wool.
Brownell's makes some cold blue that might help with the finish.
 
Some oil and bronze wool will make that Model 14 look very nice. And, I would use the same on the 2 SS guns. @rantingredneck is also correct on green Scotchbrite. It will give a duller finish than the original but still can be polished some after cleaning up. I'd still go with bronze wool. If you've never used it, you'll be amazed at what it can do to a blued gun without damaging the blueing.
 
66 no dash 1975
60 no dash 1984
14-2 1961
Feel pretty sure about the 66 and 14.
Oil/bronze wool/scotchbrite all good ideas. Gouge away-almost nothing you do is going to hurt the value now.
Those 14's are pretty fun to shoot. Try it you might like it. I have a great working/shooting rusty/pitted SAO 14 in the photo section. I would be interested if you decide that 14's not for you.
 
I would think some bronze wool and a little flitz would polish that 66 right up.
 
Tim said:
I'm starting to get a feeling that maybe bronze wool is the way to go.
Click to expand...

The good thing is, they are already "beat up" so its not like you can make them a whole lot worse. So even if you just polished them down and cerakoted them, they are shooters now.
 
Congrats on the new fam members.
I’m with @rantingredneck and @NKD
Try blue Scotchbrite/bronze wool and Eezox, start under the grips as a test on the 14.
Blue, if needed green Scotchbrite & Eezox should work wonders on the SS. I brought back 15 rusted wood clamps this weekend this way, they look and feel great.
 
Yeah as far as a barrel swap goes, you could go that way.........make it a 3" gun that way the full size ejector rod will still fit. You could soak just the barrel in vinegar and remove most of the stuff but pitting will remain if bad.

I would try Kroil and bronze or steel wool, see what happens. Either way, you have a shooter not a collector and I would treat it as such.....in other words don't be shy on shooting full house loads thru it.
 
Oh man. You have sure screwed up taking those three revolvers in, they are all a total loss.
This one time, I will be a pal and take these off of your hands, just to to help you out.
I can pay you half of what you have in them, maybe, so you may have to lose a little money.
But consider the money you lose as money well spent on education, I won't be able to do this for you again.
;)
 
I can save you some rubbn on the 14. I have an as new 4 inch brl off a 19 that should go right on. You would end up with a great hybrid. An enclosed ejector rod 4 inch 14. That should be quite a looker. If you are interested and will USE it I will ship it to you. Of course, as is Battery Oaks tradition it is free to a good home. Just let me know. Billy
 
bondjamesbond said:
This one time, I will be a pal and take these off of your hands, just to to help you out.
I won't be able to do this for you again.
;)
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Don’t worry @Tim, I’ll be there for you next time. :D
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
I can save you some rubbn on the 14. I have an as new 4 inch brl off a 19 that should go right on. You would end up with a great hybrid. An enclosed ejector rod 4 inch 14. That should be quite a looker. If you are interested and will USE it I will ship it to you. Of course, as is Battery Oaks tradition it is free to a good home. Just let me know. Billy
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That would be absolutely freaking IDEAL. Let me see if I can line up a 'smith that can do that work.
 
BatteryOaksBilly said:
To quote Doc Holiday.....Say when.....BB
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As I said in my PM....THANKS! But with the 4" M66 above and others I already have in the stable, I don't think I'd 'need' the barrel. Although that would make an interesting M19/M10 mashup!
 
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I’d like to add spend a little TLC on those grips and give them a good cleaning and conditioning ... especially the 14’s might be a little “dry” and need a little wood oil could help.
 
That SS should clean up alot with a green 3M pad. Maybe hit it with some Flitz afterwards, might put some shine back into it. Jewelers rouge and a polishing wheel, if you are brave, may be an option. Like others have indicated, gentle use of bronze wool and oil could make the blued finish look better.
 
On the M-60 and 66, soak the rust spots with CLP, then get on them with copper wool, finish up with Filtz and a micro-fiber cloth. Mothers Mag polish can be used to shine/polish the S.S. revolvers if you chose to do so.

For the blued model 14 follow step one, but stay away from the Filtz. Best of luck.
 
The Model 60 looks good from here.
 
Tim said:
4" Model 66, no dash .357 Mag
SN: 7K838xx
Typical silly smooth double action, no push off and crisp clean break in SA. Clean bore with sharp rifling. Very minor wear on the stocks.

This one would serve my purposes as a fishing companion quite well as is.

2 great big 'ol spots of corrosion on both sides of the barrel. The rest of the gun is in terrific shape and just needs a good deep cleaning.

I'd love advice on best way to tackle that corrosion
Click to expand...
I need this gun. Want a shooter in the .357/.44 mag variety. (see my Wanted post) :)
 
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