another pitted mess

TINCANBANDIT · July 6, 2014, 10:18 PM

I have another project gun that I hope to take from pitted ugliness to redemption. This one was in a fire and the finish was removed, which left it susceptible to rusting. This is a 1978 vintage Colt Trooper Mk III in .357 Mag

The bore is destroyed, luckily I found a good used barrel from a Colt Trooper MkV

does anyone have a extar cylinder that will fit this gun? I am told any cylinder for a 357 Magnum Colt "J" frame series will work (which were the Trooper Mark III or V, Lawman, Metropolitan Police or Official Police Mark III)

The pitting destroyed one (and possibly two) of the cylinder stops and I don't think it is safe to shoot as is.

James K · July 6, 2014, 11:32 PM

Were those stocks on the gun when it was in the fire? If so, and the wood is not charred, things might be OK.

But if the original stocks were burned up, I would not spend any time or money on that gun since the heat treatment of the frame has been compromised and the lockwork ruined.

Jim

Dixie Gunsmithing · July 7, 2014, 07:33 AM

You might want to think about plugging the cylinder and barrel before finishing, maybe fill them with lead, as if it ever fell into someones hands that didn't know, they are liable to try to fire it. That poor beast has had a lot of heat damage.

Look around ebay for Colt parts, you would be surprised what turns up occasionally.

James K · July 7, 2014, 09:51 AM

Any gun involved in a fire needs examined very closely before attempting to fire it or return it to firing condition. Still, it does depend on how hot the gun got, and destruction of the wooden stock or grips is a good indicator.

If those stocks are original, I doubt the gun got really hot and I think that most of the damage to that revolver was not heat but water damage from fighting the fire, then leaving the gun uncleaned, resulting in deep rust.

I certainly advise the OP to proceed with caution and not rush to spend a lot of money until he determines just what he has to work with.

Jim

**4V50 Gary** · July 7, 2014, 12:22 PM

What James K said. If that metal reached critical, it's toast. I'd express blue it and use it as a trainer (with the original barrel re-installed). Might have to plug the cylinders and bbl to prevent it from being mistakenly used.

TINCANBANDIT · September 18, 2014, 09:12 AM

all,

yes the grips were on the gun when it was in the fire, the damage to the metal was a result of the rusting that occurred when the fire was doused with water and the gun was not found until a few days later.
The grip panels finish was blistered but not charred, I don't believe the metal got hot enough to damage it.

I was also able to find some NOS internal parts and an NOS side plate....still looking for a cylinder though.

I will update this thread and write a blog post soon

Thanks

longknife12 · September 18, 2014, 10:17 AM

From the heat it has been in, I totally agree on NOT firing it in the future!
Dan

T. O'Heir · September 18, 2014, 10:27 AM

"...This one was in a fire..." Have the frame hardness tested before you spend any other money. There's no way pitting to that extent would happen in just a few days either.
Wood ignites at approximately 250ºC (482ºF). Charred means it ignited.
"...ebay for Colt parts..." E-Bay is owned by people who want to take your firearms away from you. They finance the likes of the Brady Bunch.

TINCANBANDIT · October 16, 2014, 01:25 PM

If the gun got hot enough to remove the hardening, there would be some evidence in the discoloration of the steel.

The color case hardening on the hammer and trigger were intact, as were the internals parts, even the springs still had their original strength to them. Nothing on the gun indicated that anything warped or discolored from heat. Only the blistering of the finish on the grips. Which can happen as low as 200 degrees.

Thanks for the worries, but I think this one will be just fine.

Sevens · October 16, 2014, 01:39 PM

I saw your thread some time back with the Ruger pistol (a Mark I or perhaps pre-Mark I) and I'm simply posting here to subscribe to this thread. What you did to that Ruger was pure, outrageous magic, so I can't wait to see this one come back to life.

TINCANBANDIT · November 2, 2014, 10:48 AM

update, I just found a new cylinder for the gun.

I now have the parts to complete the restoration, I just need to wait for a local gunsmith to get the necessary action wrench adapters so we can swap the barrels

TINCANBANDIT · March 11, 2015, 09:59 AM

We sourced some used and NOS parts for this porject

A used, good condition cylinder:

A used Very Good condition vent rib barrel from a Trooper Mk V

I was able to find an NOS hammer, side plate and ejector button along with all the internal parts and screws

TINCANBANDIT · March 11, 2015, 10:02 AM

Here is the blog post update

http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...ion-of_22.html

Sevens · March 11, 2015, 01:45 PM

Fantastic stuff!

TINCANBANDIT · March 11, 2015, 03:00 PM

more updates

I was able to remove the barrel from the frame

here is how I removed the barrel

http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...evolver_2.html

I then started sanding on the frame

and fitting the new side plate to the frame

TINCANBANDIT · March 11, 2015, 03:20 PM

I keep stepping up the grit on the sand paper

TINCANBANDIT · March 11, 2015, 03:25 PM

Once I had 99% of the pits out and the metal sanded to a 600 grit finish, I installed the new barrel

I then taped off the gun and sand blasted the top of the frame and blended it with the blasted top of barrel

Skans · March 13, 2015, 08:04 AM

Then what??? Don't leave me hanging!

This is a great thread.

Nodak1858 · March 13, 2015, 09:00 AM

Nice job. Nothing I like better than getting a rusted/broken gun back in service. Too many times people give up and junk them.

TINCANBANDIT · March 26, 2015, 09:15 AM

still sanding, at the 2000 grit level now, almost ready to go to the buffer. I bought two new buffing wheels, I want this gun to look as much like a Python as possible, not sure how well I can duplicate what the artisans at Colt used to do, but all I can do is try

I'll have another blog post update here this weekend.

TINCANBANDIT · April 28, 2015, 09:54 AM

blog post update

http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...ection-of.html

hoghunting · April 28, 2015, 12:20 PM

You're doing a great job and I know it requires a lot more work than it looks. Thanks for the updates.

skizzums · May 14, 2015, 11:19 PM

I tried to post on your blog, but it kept telling me to prove I am not a robot.........................

I think the burden should be on YOU to prove that I am a robot!!!

anyways, great job. you are a determined individual. I would buy the same gun with the same intentions, but it would sit in my safe for years, maybe forever. i'm excited for you, looks like it'll be pretty awesome in the end

TINCANBANDIT · May 17, 2015, 11:05 PM

a couple of pictures to show the progress

**4V50 Gary** · May 20, 2015, 03:58 PM

Nice polishing job.

July 6, 2014, 10:18 PM	#1
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	another pitted mess I have another project gun that I hope to take from pitted ugliness to redemption. This one was in a fire and the finish was removed, which left it susceptible to rusting. This is a 1978 vintage Colt Trooper Mk III in .357 Mag The bore is destroyed, luckily I found a good used barrel from a Colt Trooper MkV does anyone have a extar cylinder that will fit this gun? I am told any cylinder for a 357 Magnum Colt "J" frame series will work (which were the Trooper Mark III or V, Lawman, Metropolitan Police or Official Police Mark III) The pitting destroyed one (and possibly two) of the cylinder stops and I don't think it is safe to shoot as is. __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

July 7, 2014, 12:22 PM	#5
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	What James K said. If that metal reached critical, it's toast. I'd express blue it and use it as a trainer (with the original barrel re-installed). Might have to plug the cylinders and bbl to prevent it from being mistakenly used. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

September 18, 2014, 09:12 AM	#6
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	all, yes the grips were on the gun when it was in the fire, the damage to the metal was a result of the rusting that occurred when the fire was doused with water and the gun was not found until a few days later. The grip panels finish was blistered but not charred, I don't believe the metal got hot enough to damage it. I was also able to find some NOS internal parts and an NOS side plate....still looking for a cylinder though. I will update this thread and write a blog post soon Thanks __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

September 18, 2014, 10:27 AM	#8
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...This one was in a fire..." Have the frame hardness tested before you spend any other money. There's no way pitting to that extent would happen in just a few days either. Wood ignites at approximately 250ºC (482ºF). Charred means it ignited. "...ebay for Colt parts..." E-Bay is owned by people who want to take your firearms away from you. They finance the likes of the Brady Bunch. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 16, 2014, 01:25 PM	#9
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	If the gun got hot enough to remove the hardening, there would be some evidence in the discoloration of the steel. The color case hardening on the hammer and trigger were intact, as were the internals parts, even the springs still had their original strength to them. Nothing on the gun indicated that anything warped or discolored from heat. Only the blistering of the finish on the grips. Which can happen as low as 200 degrees. Thanks for the worries, but I think this one will be just fine. __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

July 6, 2014, 11:32 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Were those stocks on the gun when it was in the fire? If so, and the wood is not charred, things might be OK. But if the original stocks were burned up, I would not spend any time or money on that gun since the heat treatment of the frame has been compromised and the lockwork ruined. Jim

July 7, 2014, 07:33 AM	#3
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	You might want to think about plugging the cylinder and barrel before finishing, maybe fill them with lead, as if it ever fell into someones hands that didn't know, they are liable to try to fire it. That poor beast has had a lot of heat damage. Look around ebay for Colt parts, you would be surprised what turns up occasionally.

July 7, 2014, 09:51 AM	#4
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Any gun involved in a fire needs examined very closely before attempting to fire it or return it to firing condition. Still, it does depend on how hot the gun got, and destruction of the wooden stock or grips is a good indicator. If those stocks are original, I doubt the gun got really hot and I think that most of the damage to that revolver was not heat but water damage from fighting the fire, then leaving the gun uncleaned, resulting in deep rust. I certainly advise the OP to proceed with caution and not rush to spend a lot of money until he determines just what he has to work with. Jim

September 18, 2014, 10:17 AM	#7
longknife12 Member Join Date: March 13, 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 95	From the heat it has been in, I totally agree on NOT firing it in the future! Dan

October 16, 2014, 01:39 PM	#10
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	I saw your thread some time back with the Ruger pistol (a Mark I or perhaps pre-Mark I) and I'm simply posting here to subscribe to this thread. What you did to that Ruger was pure, outrageous magic, so I can't wait to see this one come back to life. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

November 2, 2014, 10:48 AM	#11
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	update, I just found a new cylinder for the gun. I now have the parts to complete the restoration, I just need to wait for a local gunsmith to get the necessary action wrench adapters so we can swap the barrels __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 11, 2015, 09:59 AM	#12
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	We sourced some used and NOS parts for this porject A used, good condition cylinder: A used Very Good condition vent rib barrel from a Trooper Mk V I was able to find an NOS hammer, side plate and ejector button along with all the internal parts and screws __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 11, 2015, 10:02 AM	#13
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	Here is the blog post update http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...ion-of_22.html __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 11, 2015, 01:45 PM	#14
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	Fantastic stuff! __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

March 11, 2015, 03:00 PM	#15
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	more updates I was able to remove the barrel from the frame here is how I removed the barrel http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...evolver_2.html I then started sanding on the frame and fitting the new side plate to the frame __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 11, 2015, 03:20 PM	#16
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	I keep stepping up the grit on the sand paper __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 11, 2015, 03:25 PM	#17
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	Once I had 99% of the pits out and the metal sanded to a 600 grit finish, I installed the new barrel I then taped off the gun and sand blasted the top of the frame and blended it with the blasted top of barrel __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

March 13, 2015, 08:04 AM	#18
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	Then what??? Don't leave me hanging! This is a great thread.

March 13, 2015, 09:00 AM	#19
Nodak1858 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2009 Location: N. Dakota Posts: 435	Nice job. Nothing I like better than getting a rusted/broken gun back in service. Too many times people give up and junk them. __________________ We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.

March 26, 2015, 09:15 AM	#20
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	still sanding, at the 2000 grit level now, almost ready to go to the buffer. I bought two new buffing wheels, I want this gun to look as much like a Python as possible, not sure how well I can duplicate what the artisans at Colt used to do, but all I can do is try I'll have another blog post update here this weekend. __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

April 28, 2015, 09:54 AM	#21
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	blog post update http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/201...ection-of.html __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

April 28, 2015, 12:20 PM	#22
hoghunting Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2006 Posts: 1,559	You're doing a great job and I know it requires a lot more work than it looks. Thanks for the updates.

May 14, 2015, 11:19 PM	#23
skizzums Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2013 Location: Douglasville, Ga Posts: 4,615	I tried to post on your blog, but it kept telling me to prove I am not a robot......................... I think the burden should be on YOU to prove that I am a robot!!! anyways, great job. you are a determined individual. I would buy the same gun with the same intentions, but it would sit in my safe for years, maybe forever. i'm excited for you, looks like it'll be pretty awesome in the end __________________ My head is bloody, but unbowed

May 17, 2015, 11:05 PM	#24
TINCANBANDIT Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2014 Posts: 164	a couple of pictures to show the progress __________________ Actor portrayal, Action figures sold separately, You must be at least this tall to ride, Individual results may vary, Sales tax not included, Some restrictions apply See my blog: http://tincanbandit.blogspot.com/

May 20, 2015, 03:58 PM	#25
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,838	Nice polishing job. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*