Restoring an original BBQ gun ???

Magnum Wheel Man · December 19, 2009, 10:33 AM

I have found an original BBQ gun, an old nickel plated & engraved revolver not particularly worth a bunch of money, probably belonged to some sheriff or police chief at some time in the distant past... the nickel is in pretty good shape, but has a few flakes around the barrel cylinder gap, the engraving is very light, & tastefull... I really like it as is, but have been thinking, if there was a way to freshen the nickel, without damaging the original light engraving, I might consider doing this... AFAIK, don't most refinishers bead blast the gun prior to re-nickeling, or polishing, that may remove some depth of the original engraving???

awhile back my buddys & I were talking about BBQ guns for wearing to the couple barn dances that one of us holds a couple times a year, & this old girl would certainly be a stand out as she is, but with a fresh coat of nail polish ( nickel ) she would be the belle of the ball...

any suggestions ( including leave the old girl in her dignity ) ???

BTW... it's an old Safety Police 32 S&W top break, so it's not particularly valuable or collectable

Bill DeShivs · December 19, 2009, 02:01 PM

The nickel can be stripped by chemical or electrolytic means.
If the underlying metal is not pitted, only a small amount of hand polishing will be necessary before replating.
Contact a real plater for this work-someone like Ford's.

j-framer · December 20, 2009, 11:24 AM

As you said - permit the old gun the dignity of remaining unmolested in its old age.

I love the appearance of old guns (and old everything, actually), and have never understood the powerful urge that some people have to "improve" (read: ruin) fascinating pieces of history. Doesn't have to be an important or valuable piece of history - it's the connection to the past that matters to people like me.

That's not to say that the gun's a valuable collectible - from what you've said, it likely isn't. But that's no reason to disturb its well-earned retirement by peeling its skin off. (By the way, what exactly is this revolver - maker, caliber, etc.?).

Magnum Wheel Man · December 20, 2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

(By the way, what exactly is this revolver - maker, caliber, etc.?).

from my 1st post... "BTW... it's an old Safety Police 32 S&W top break" Hopkins & Allen... just picked it up on G.B.

Bill DeShivs · December 20, 2009, 02:22 PM

I would not refinish that gun.

jhenry · December 20, 2009, 02:27 PM

I would not refinish that one either. A very nice piece of history, and just a bit mellowed with age. Classic.

j-framer · December 20, 2009, 07:16 PM

Magnum, I should have read your post more carefully.

By the way, I hope I didn't sound too confrontational about the refinishing issue - it's just that I really love old guns and I guess I'm always trying to proselytize others into the same mindset.

Still, after seeing the picture, my opinion is only reinforced - I hope you enjoy it just as it is.

deanpf · December 20, 2009, 07:33 PM

She's beautiful as is, just keep her clean and enjoy!

Dragon55 · December 20, 2009, 07:36 PM

That's purty as is.. I agree don't do anything to it.

James K · December 20, 2009, 10:16 PM

Take a good look at the action of that H&A and I think you will be interested in the way they solved the "hit the hammer" problem without a hammer block or a transfer bar.

And I agree with not trying to refinish that gun. It looks fine as it is.

Jim

Magnum Wheel Man · December 21, 2009, 09:27 AM

Thanks guys... I think she's a purdy old gal myself... ( with or without fresh "nail polish" )

December 19, 2009, 10:33 AM	#1
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	Restoring an original BBQ gun ??? I have found an original BBQ gun, an old nickel plated & engraved revolver not particularly worth a bunch of money, probably belonged to some sheriff or police chief at some time in the distant past... the nickel is in pretty good shape, but has a few flakes around the barrel cylinder gap, the engraving is very light, & tastefull... I really like it as is, but have been thinking, if there was a way to freshen the nickel, without damaging the original light engraving, I might consider doing this... AFAIK, don't most refinishers bead blast the gun prior to re-nickeling, or polishing, that may remove some depth of the original engraving??? awhile back my buddys & I were talking about BBQ guns for wearing to the couple barn dances that one of us holds a couple times a year, & this old girl would certainly be a stand out as she is, but with a fresh coat of nail polish ( nickel ) she would be the belle of the ball... any suggestions ( including leave the old girl in her dignity ) ??? BTW... it's an old Safety Police 32 S&W top break, so it's not particularly valuable or collectable __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust...

December 19, 2009, 02:01 PM	#2
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	The nickel can be stripped by chemical or electrolytic means. If the underlying metal is not pitted, only a small amount of hand polishing will be necessary before replating. Contact a real plater for this work-someone like Ford's. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 20, 2009, 02:22 PM	#5
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,984	I would not refinish that gun. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

December 20, 2009, 02:27 PM	#6
jhenry Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Location: Ozarks Posts: 1,840	I would not refinish that one either. A very nice piece of history, and just a bit mellowed with age. Classic. __________________ "A Liberal is someone who doesn't care what you do, as long as it's mandatory". - Charles Krauthammer

December 20, 2009, 07:36 PM	#9
Dragon55 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 811	Shucks... That's purty as is.. I agree don't do anything to it. __________________ sailing ... A way to spend lots of money and go real S L O W

December 20, 2009, 11:24 AM	#3
j-framer Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Posts: 375	As you said - permit the old gun the dignity of remaining unmolested in its old age. I love the appearance of old guns (and old everything, actually), and have never understood the powerful urge that some people have to "improve" (read: ruin) fascinating pieces of history. Doesn't have to be an important or valuable piece of history - it's the connection to the past that matters to people like me. That's not to say that the gun's a valuable collectible - from what you've said, it likely isn't. But that's no reason to disturb its well-earned retirement by peeling its skin off. (By the way, what exactly is this revolver - maker, caliber, etc.?).

December 20, 2009, 07:16 PM	#7
j-framer Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2006 Posts: 375	Magnum, I should have read your post more carefully. By the way, I hope I didn't sound too confrontational about the refinishing issue - it's just that I really love old guns and I guess I'm always trying to proselytize others into the same mindset. Still, after seeing the picture, my opinion is only reinforced - I hope you enjoy it just as it is.

December 20, 2009, 07:33 PM	#8
deanpf Member Join Date: February 1, 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 32	She's beautiful as is, just keep her clean and enjoy!

December 20, 2009, 10:16 PM	#10
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Take a good look at the action of that H&A and I think you will be interested in the way they solved the "hit the hammer" problem without a hammer block or a transfer bar. And I agree with not trying to refinish that gun. It looks fine as it is. Jim

December 21, 2009, 09:27 AM	#11
Magnum Wheel Man Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2006 Location: Southern Minnesota Posts: 9,333	Thanks guys... I think she's a purdy old gal myself... ( with or without fresh "nail polish" ) __________________ In life you either make dust or eat dust... Last edited by Magnum Wheel Man; December 21, 2009 at 09:32 AM.