Fire Damage

[KY DAN]

So I have had the opportunity through gunbroker to buy 3 revolvers at shall we say bargain basement prices the three I bought were a colt 1917 45 acp, colt official police 38 spl from 1933, a smith and Wesson N frame 38 special with a lanyard ring everything is weird about this one. They are all missing parts, the colts are missing the least. The colts appear to have only minor cosmetic issues just rust and scratches no discolorations or plastic grips melted. The smith and Wesson is the oddest, the blue is some what intact on one side of the gun and clean however the opposite side having the side plate is solid black with soot that still rubs off and lightly pitted as though it was sand blasted with a very rough grit the whole length of gun. It is missing the cylinder but has the crane and ejector star. The crane shuts with some resistance, I do not know if it is from the rust which is on every part or not. No large gaps or anything that would indicate warpage. The seller said all items were bought from a ffl who had died in AZ that had a fire years ago according to the seller all he knew it was not a terrible fire just one where nothing was done afterwards and smoke damage took its toll. After the fire all weapons were stripped of parts and sold and frames and scraps were put into crates in storage or the FFL death recently.
This is my first fire damage buys, do you all think the Smith is savable or a wall hanger now? I will post pictures as soon as I get it transferred from my ffl. Thanks

 

[Catcar67]

I had some weapons that were damaged in a house fire some years ago. The woodwork had some level of heat damage and some of the springs had weakened. They had been in a gun safe so were not exposed directly to fire (except my 2 Kentucky rifles). I took 2 guns to the a gunsmith for testing and they came out OK. Your price for parts or machine work may prohibit your restoration but you labor would be basically free. Give it a shot (so to speak).

 

[BigBlue 94]

Seems like a waste of time and money buying junk like this, with that said proced at your own discretion. I think if you repair these you should tell the next person of their history. We need a picture first and foremost, and most likely you will need to take it to a machine shop and have the frame heat treat tested by a Rockwell tester. Your question is really out the realm if this forum, Smith and Wesson forum are the one's to ask. If it is not a plastic fantastic glock or 1911 this place is worthless. Good luck with what ever your doing.

Someone pee in your wheaties?

Maybe this forum isn't as focused on one gun model, but I have had lots of good info from here on all types. Theres people here who know what they are talking about.

Problem with a Rockwell tester is they damage the piece they are testing. It may not be an issue on a pitted firearm, but what about the 1917 that may may not need refinishing. Who wants a dimple on a nice gun?

We need to see pictures before we make such rash decisions.

 

[Jim Watson]

Do you have the capability of fixing up these guns yourself? Paying somebody to rebuild them will not be cheap or even reasonable. See below for my experience.

Plastic grips not melted is a good sign, I would give the Colts whatever I could at a cost in proportion to their likely final appearance.

Rust removal would be a first step on the Smith. I happen to know an agency SW armorer from the revolver days and would get him to inspect it before buying a cylinder. I would not sink a lot more money than a cylinder into one as described. Maybe a cheap finish like DIY phosphate.

Pictures might tell a different story, we await illustrations.

Many of my guns were smoke and water damaged in The Incident. Most I had refinished, homeowners insurance paid the gunsmith $7000. A few I have just left blotchy, they shoot.

 

[KY DAN]

Pictures of the frame, I believe its now a 1917 frame.

 

[G'dale Mike]

Seems like a waste of time and money buying junk like this, with that said proced at your own discretion. I think if you repair these you should tell the next person of their history. We need a picture first and foremost, and most likely you will need to take it to a machine shop and have the frame heat treat tested by a Rockwell tester. Your question is really out the realm if this forum, Smith and Wesson forum are the one's to ask. If it is not a plastic fantastic glock or 1911 this place is worthless. Good luck with what ever your doing.

Wow, i find a wealth of wheelgun info , as well as other specialties represented on this forum. To OP, you have to follow your gut after weighing the pros nad cons. Good luck

 

[Catcar67]

In a way you're building "kit pistols" that were sold because some of the parts were lost. With a little online research you could probably find some used parts to put on your guns.