The revival of a beat to death Combat Masterpiece

COLTIMPALA

Yo homie... is that my briefcase?
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I lurk on this forum quite a bit, and saw some cool things in the gunsmith section, and wanted to share a project I undertook last year.
Of all places I came across it Facebook at a pawn shop in FL. It came to my front door in a faucet box $200 later. The poor thing had been bubba engraved, to include a DL# under the grip that traced back to someone in Michigan. That person had since passed away, and the initials on the gun were  apparently done later by a different owner. And then again by someone else. Based on the extensive wear on the grips it's presumed this gun was carried by an LEO at some point. It took me a bit of time to remove the engraving without damaging the gun, but managed to do what I'd call a perfect repair of that area. I slow rust blued the gun (my preferred method), and bought some less abused grips off eBay and restored those too. This gun may not be anything extremely special, but I'm happy to have brought it back from the dead. Screenshot_20200527-154136.jpg Screenshot_20200527-153841.jpg Screenshot_20200527-153818.jpg Screenshot_20200527-153917.jpg Screenshot_20200527-153824~2.png Screenshot_20200527-154136.jpg Screenshot_20200527-153841.jpg Screenshot_20200527-153818.jpg Screenshot_20200527-154118~2.png Screenshot_20200527-153807.jpg
 
How did you deal with the engraving? Seemed pretty deep to just file out.
 
How did you deal with the engraving? Seemed pretty deep to just file out.
I hand sanded it starting with 220 and finishing out with 0000 steel wool prior to bluing. I know it's hard to believe, but I'd guarantee nobody would be able to pick out that area without having known where it was to begin with.
 
That looks great! I'm glad you brought it back to life!

I like those old holsters, let me know if you want to get rid of it.
 
I have a box of naked rusty shotgun receivers i might send your way.
but let's talk about the legalities of you you came into possession of it...
 
That looks great! I'm glad you brought it back to life!

I like those old holsters, let me know if you want to get rid of it.
Thanks! And I'd be hard pressed to part with it. No telling what the history is on the holster but all the buttons have SW logos on them. Not sure if that means anything or is special, but it's in alot better shape than the gun was.
 
Thanks! And I'd be hard pressed to part with it. No telling what the history is on the holster but all the buttons have SW logos on them. Not sure if that means anything or is special, but it's in alot better shape than the gun was.

That holster is a S&W. The one I have is from the 80s and has been the home of a few pistols over the years. The holsters were a generic design and not specified to any particular model of revolver. I love them because they fit so many different pistols.
 
That holster is a S&W. The one I have is from the 80s and has been the home of a few pistols over the years. The holsters were a generic design and not specified to any particular model of revolver. I love them because they fit so many different pistols.
I appreciate the info. I hadn't really researched it but have been curious. This one could use a little TLC, and I'll find somewhere to inquire here on the forum about restoring it. Leather work isn't something I have much familiarity with.
 
Really, really nice work there. Now you are gonna make me have to work harder on the double I am working on in the gunsmithing section. I may need to look into this rust blueing. Don't have any experience with it but it looks pretty good.
 
Really, really nice work there. Now you are gonna make me have to work harder on the double I am working on in the gunsmithing section. I may need to look into this rust blueing. Don't have any experience with it but it looks pretty good.
I'll PM you. I did a very in depth write up on how I did the process. Secondly, if you're working on a double barrel it should ABSOLUTELY be rust blued. DO NOT hot blue a double barrel.
 
Really, really nice work there. Now you are gonna make me have to work harder on the double I am working on in the gunsmithing section. I may need to look into this rust blueing. Don't have any experience with it but it looks pretty good.

Take a look at Mark Lee's bluing solutions. He has a fast rust blue and a slow rust blue. I like his stuff better than Laurel mountain.
 
I am not a huge revolver guy but I really like the Combat Masterpiece guns. They are my favorite S&W revolvers. They are kind of the perfect 4" 38 special IMO. Yours came out really nice. Pretty amazing you were able to get that engraving out. Did you dish it much? Gets a little nerve racking trying to get those last few little specs out....Been there.
 
I am not a huge revolver guy but I really like the Combat Masterpiece guns. They are my favorite S&W revolvers. They are kind of the perfect 4" 38 special IMO. Yours came out really nice. Pretty amazing you were able to get that engraving out. Did you dish it much? Gets a little nerve racking trying to get those last few little specs out....Been there.
Managed to do so without dishing it at all. I'll lay a straight edge on it later for comparison.
 
Managed to do so without dishing it at all. I'll lay a straight edge on it later for comparison.

Thats impressive. You might need to take a break for a while. Get the OCD purged from your system Ha Ha. I had to do something similar to A slide last month. Couldnt get it mounted properly on a vise so it was all sandpaper and a spare floor tile along with different shapes of wood blocks. I was about ready to take a belt sander to it Ha. I really hate the invention of the engraver sometimes.

Ya Know... as beat up is that 15 was it still looked kind of cool. One thing I like about revolver is they can have wear and still look good.... to me anyways. My old dealer gave me his old security six service revolver when he closed shop. I cant bring myself to remove the engravings. He was in LE for over 30 years starting in the late 60s I think. I am sentimental with guns sometimes.
 
I am not a huge revolver guy but I really like the Combat Masterpiece guns. They are my favorite S&W revolvers. They are kind of the perfect 4" 38 special IMO. Yours came out really nice. Pretty amazing you were able to get that engraving out. Did you dish it much? Gets a little nerve racking trying to get those last few little specs out....Been there.
Here's a pic with a straight edge. Keep in mind that the edge itself I chose to use is beveled. With a light behind it just the tiniest sliver of light shines through
 

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I used to hate sanding and polishing yolks and cylinder flutes. It takes time to get it right and im not a patient man. Looks like you did a great job with that old thing. If you have not done it yourself, here is your pat on the back. Excellent job sir!
 
You've done some nice work on that old gun!

I have a pinned and recessed Model 19-3 that I'd like to get reblued. I've been tempted to try it myself, but I'm afraid I'd ruin it.
 
Yeah that's a really nice job. I love bringing old things back to life, especially firearms.
 
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