Off Life Support, Ready to Play

[Greg Derr]

Scars are our history. This Smith&Wesson Model 52-1 was the prized possession of a remarkable shooter. A woman who managed to compete when few did. A US Shooting Team member. The .38 was shot for many years across the country. It's was then put into retirement in Florida. Hurricane Irma devastated the owner's home and her island. The house was a total loss and her family business crippled, many homes were destroyed. The family got most guns out, but this Model 52 was missed in the back of the safe in a black gun rug. It was found in the twisted rubble underwater weeks later. My friend had wanted to leave this gun to a family member as a part of her shooting legacy. The rust and pits were deep. Instead of trying to make it pretty I decided to just apply life saving measures. The rust and salt water damage was treated and the bleeding stopped. Each part was cleaned and preserved. A new skin of blue applied over the wounds. The grips, like the gun show the damage of salt water. Yes it's ugly, but still shoots like a champ and is ready to get back in the game if called on.

 

[oldyankee]

Touching story, great save!

 

[greencobra]

what a tragic thing to happen to that noble old gun but another chapter to it's story. you really did get it off life support!

 

[Len-2A Training]

Excellent and smart work so that it lives for another day and has a story to go with it.

 

[snax]

Nice. Got any "before" photos?

Also... question: What if the corrosion/pitting was bad enough to obscure/obliterate the serial #? Is that something that can be fixed if you had records of the #, or would you have to go to Smith and Wesson for a remedy?

 

[PL-52]

Nice job, and a great restoration. New life for an old piece. Just because somethings old. worn out, rusty and not as pretty as they once were doesn't mean they're no good anymore.

 

[mac1911]

Nice. Got any "before" photos?

Also... question: What if the corrosion/pitting was bad enough to obscure/obliterate the serial #? Is that something that can be fixed if you had records of the #, or would you have to go to Smith and Wesson for a remedy?

I think if it came down to it it could be proven that corrosion made the numbers disappear vs file/grinder marks.
so then i guess they have to prove you let the gun rot on purpose.

 

[45collector]

Excellent story!
I’ve got a few guns with ugly surface corrosion scars, but run beautifully and accurate.

 

[Mike 53]

Nice save Greg. Those are awesome Bullseye pistols!