Fix it up, or leave as is?

K

Kaylee

New member
My grandmother is moving houses, and we just happened across her late husband's old Colt .38 Special Police Positive. I was thinking of having it fixed up for her.

Honestly, the poor thing is in pretty sorry shape. The cylinder rod is bent out of whack (too many detective movie reloads I think) so the cylinder won't advance. The finish is shot, but no major rust spots or pitting I can find, and one of the factory plastic grips is missing.

Can I presume that any collector value is gone, given the condition, and I'm safe having the thing refinished and the cylinder rod fixed? Then getting some nice wood or horn grips for it? If so -- anyone have any suggestions for a place/smith to send it to, and a ballpark guesstimate for what it would cost?

Thanks!

-K
 
Police Positive

Unfortunately, the Police Positive is not a particularly valuable gun to start out...Colt's made a lot of them and of course supply/demand applies.

From your description the cost of refurbishing the revolver will exceed it's value. If the senitmental value is high enough go for it...but as an investment it isn't worth it.

FWIW

Chuck
 
Well, it's granddad's, so there's some sentimental value there. :)


Maybe just replace the grips and cylinder pin for now, I think. The rest of the lockwork seems to work fine -- I'm betting with that pin fixed it'll be good as new. The finish ain't hot, but it ain't rusting away either, so that can wait.

So... anyone have any recommendations for parts sources? And.... how do I replace the pin, or do I have to have a smith do that?


-K
 
I know where there's a good 'smith in K-town who's been known to give while-u-wait service on 1911's... ;)
 
Can you send it back to Colt to be reworked and put in display case or similar?

Did this with a couple of greatgrandfather's Smiths. Stop grabbing your chest, Mr. Irwin. No special collector value.
 
Years ago a co-worker came up with an old P.P. in very similar condition and wanted to get it restored for similar reasons. I found him a restoration service (can't remember the name now) and he sent it off. It wasn't cheap, but they did a good job and he was quite happy with the results.

No reason not to do it if you want to badly enough.
 
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