OMG! original 1872 Open Top sighting...

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Title says it all! I was at my local gunshop in the gumnsmithy area, when what did I see but an original 1872 Open Top!  The barrel was bobbed to about 4.5 Inches, steel army grip, and no ejector rod assembly.  It was intact and functioning.

Problem was, it had been given a parkerized Manganese Phosphate finish!  Wash my eyes out with soap!







While it was cool to handle it,I was somewhat horrified!

[Drydock]

My eyes!  It burns!


Seriously, a candidate for stripping and refurbishment.  Still in .44 rimfire?

[Tuolumne Lawman]

YEP, STILL RIMFIRE.  If it was centerfire I would hock my house to buy it!

[Coffinmaker]

  Why on earth would anyone be CRASS enough to do that 

[Major 2]

My eyes!  It burns!


Seriously, a candidate for stripping and refurbishment.  Still in .44 rimfire?

Price ?    seems a doable project, it should be saved

[Tuolumne Lawman]

It wasn't for sale.  The guy brought it to the gunsmith and had him parkerize it because it was ugly.  Can manganese phosphate be removed?  If there was any way to shoot it, but there is no way.  Even if you turned some brass cases and used short rimfire blanks like the old Spencer rounds that some made before centerfire conversion blocks were available, there would be no room for enough powder.  That would be a cool piece of history to own, though.

[Major 2]

sacrilege ..simply a unforgivable act  may the fleas of 1000 camels make nest in his netter regions

[Smokey Dave]

Holy Moly! That's a hangin offense! And if it ain't, it should be!

[Major 2]

Some moron  probably spent $150 to turn a  $800 - $1000  original Colt antique into a $75 paper weight .

[Coal Creek Griff]

I'm surprised that the gunsmith agreed to do it. Kind of like violating the Hippocratic Oath.

CC Griff

[Coffinmaker]

I'll bet - with a little work one could install a Uberti Open Top hammer, open up the recoil shield, add Uberti Ejector Assembly parts, run a lighter spring and have a shooter.  Or even a Uberti Richards Mason conversion hammer.

At this point, no harm no foul.  It's already just a stupid Paper Weight.  Gunsmith that agreed to do the deed hath no shame.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I found that Dixie does have the turned brass cases for it that use a .22 Blank!  Argh!!!!!  IF I WAS A WEALTHY MAN...  Mute point, though, as it is not for for sale.

[Crow Choker]

Tis' a shame for sure! When I first layed eyes on the picture it reminded me of a Ruger Wrangler having the top strap cut off!  What some guys do to perfectly good classic firearms. Saw a picture of a pristine Remington 81 rifle that some guy had drilled and tapped the receiver of and mounted a red dot scope.    Besides ruining a untouched receiver and the previous value of the rifle, the red dot just didn't look right on that rifle. 

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Probably just as well it isn't for sale, otherwise I'd be really broke.  It would be a kick with the turned brass cases, 20 grains of FFG, and a .440" round ball.

[Major 2]

Just as aside I was given a British Pattern 1888 Lee Medford Bayonet.  Some BUBBA had bench ground it and badly scabbard was  surface rusty
and overall the whole affair was sad. 

The scabbard  is a Victoria Regina correct to the bayonet in 1907 and probably Canadian issue , The Bayonet is a Sanderson Sheffield dated 8 /97 and all proof  & inspection marks clear.....

I felt it was worthy of restoration ..  before photos are to sad ...but here it is now

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Nice job!

[Major 2]

Nice job!

Thanks...my point was even a poor abused bubba job... can shine again.

Granted the historic value is diminished but it can have a life again

[scrubby2009]

Possible we're talking about the same "gunsmith" who left tool marks on my transition NMA. He thought I should parkerize it too. Shame..

[Baltimore Ed]

You?ve given me another idea there Major. I?ve never thought about building something to display my bayonets in-on? Might have to do something with that idea. Presently they?re scattered all around my reloading room and safes. A hinged front shadow box like I built for my wife?s Baltimore Oriole baseball card collection would look good.

[Coffinmaker]

Hey There Biltmore 

Shadow box is a perfect idea.  I would further suggest a likeness of your favorite Coat of Arms or Military Unit Patch on the bottom of the Box??  Just a Thought (Ouch .... )