....I was under the impression it wasnt safe to fire
...and Rad wins the prize for guessin it right...if my research was correct the serno. places it 1902-1904 manufacture...more likely 1903...
the guy at work brought it in askin if it was worth anything and wanted to get rid of it...according to him it was his wifey's grandfathers...and that he used to "do the numbers and run booze" back in the day and this was his 'carry'....said she found it in a jar full of change in her mothers house who recently passed and they were cleaning out the place...I told him I'd find out what I could about it and make him an offer....Rad pretty much nailed what I typed up before it went to the NSA storage facility...(
)...as you can see heavily rusted(the grips are in the best condition of the whole thing)...3" barrel had lands and grooves but was rusted-'specially muzzle end....mint ones seem to go for $450-ish but this was rusted so much any restoration would likely cost more than its worth and a waste...I offered him $25 and he glady took it
....last nite I had it soakin in Kroil for a few hrs,then rinsed it out in brake fluid-blew it dry with compressor,then liberally squirted and rubbed Ballistoil for now into every nook and cranny to stop any further rusting...looks a good bit better and it cycles smoothly and the barrel even cleaned up well-has some shine to it now-some minor pitting visiblke,but there seems to be hope...what I was concerned about was the rust you see on the barrel and part of the cylinder -rust gone now but damage done...would it be possible say to use a dremel to smooth out the raised areas -mebbe just 'polish down' the grungy look to it...???....any ideas/suggestions...???
...as fer ammo,I cant find any other stuff around here let alone .32 short...