The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: CJS3 on September 07, 2009, 12:19:27 AM

Title: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: CJS3 on September 07, 2009, 12:19:27 AM
Does anyone know of a gunsmith who hoards schematics from old firearms? I have an old Meriden 38S&W top break revolver, that I'm going to make my next restoration project. I'm unable to find any schematics on it, and while I feel confident that I can disassemble and reassemble the pistol, some documentation would be nice to have.

Just so you know, this was a pocket pistol sold out of the Sears & Roebuck catalog at the turn of the century. If you know of any gunsmith that could help me out, I sure would appreciate their name and number.

Thanks;   CJ
Title: Re: Need info on an antique
Post by: MAUSERMAN on September 07, 2009, 12:44:32 AM
 ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique
Post by: CJS3 on September 07, 2009, 08:04:09 AM
Thanks for the diagram. Unfortunately that's a S&W or a H&R. The Meriden's don't have a side plate to access the internals. You have to remone the trigger gaurd to get at the internal parts.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 07, 2009, 11:54:35 AM
Here you go CJ
http://www.e-gunparts.com/model.asp?idDept=163
Numrich has them, I don't know exactly what you have you MIGHT have to buy a hard copy of it from them.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique
Post by: Kid Shelleen on September 08, 2009, 02:37:07 PM
CJ,

Now that's my kind of project. Good luck on the schematics and PLEASE post the finished product.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique
Post by: Walter45Auto on September 15, 2009, 12:02:00 PM
Puts a big grin on my face to see pieces of history like that. ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique...........finished product
Post by: CJS3 on September 22, 2009, 07:23:58 PM
Before and after. Is it a keeper or should I add it to the UGLIEST GUN thread?
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 22, 2009, 07:43:31 PM
 Ugly Keeper ?  Looks like it was a fun project, will you be shooting it ?
What I've read about them you may not want to shoot it with full power modern ammo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meriden_Firearms_Co.
http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/showthread.php?t=34552
I hope there is some useful info.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: ericire12 on September 22, 2009, 07:46:50 PM
will you be shooting it ?


Do you have a better method of putting it out of its misery ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: Pathfinder on September 22, 2009, 08:04:55 PM
Do you have a better method of putting it out of its misery ;D

Now, I don't care what you say, that's funny right there!!!  ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 22, 2009, 08:12:50 PM
Based on my Google Fu it was the 32's that were  weak, CJ has the 38 S&W which should have been beefier.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique...........finished product
Post by: Johnny Bravo on September 22, 2009, 09:08:51 PM
Before and after. Is it a keeper or should I add it to the UGLIEST GUN thread?

Nice work. It's a keeper.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: Big Frank on September 22, 2009, 09:11:37 PM
The color takes a little getting used to but I like it. Good job CJ.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: Hazcat on September 22, 2009, 09:12:08 PM
Nice work. It's a keeper.

+1 !  Has a very cool modern/retro look to it.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: ericire12 on September 22, 2009, 10:15:06 PM
+1 !  Has a very cool modern/retro look to it.

 ???
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: Ping on September 22, 2009, 10:24:46 PM
Kind of reminds me of the "I believe" Smith and Wesson magnum used in the movie "Electraglide in Blue". I have been looking for a magnum like that for 15 years.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: MAUSERMAN on September 22, 2009, 10:59:29 PM
I dont think it belongs in the ugly file, I will say that it came out great.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: PegLeg45 on September 22, 2009, 11:56:32 PM
Do you have a better method of putting it out of its misery ;D

I just woke my wife up............... from laughing at that remark.    ;D

She is not amused.



But I do like the gun, CJ.......good job.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: Hazcat on September 23, 2009, 07:24:16 AM
???

I mean the finish gives it a modern look but the style of the gun is old so it looks as though it could be a modern reproduction.  That is modern/retro to me.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: CJS3 on September 23, 2009, 10:08:48 PM
I'll be shooting it this weekend (if it doesn't rain again) using hand loaded ammo. 158 gr lead bullet over 2.8 gr of Unique, for a blistering 620 fps. Updates will follow.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: PegLeg45 on September 23, 2009, 10:10:36 PM
I'll be shooting it this weekend (if it doesn't rain again) using hand loaded ammo. 158 gr lead bullet over 2.8 gr of Unique, for a blistering 620 fps. Updates will follow.

Watch carefully and you may be able to see the bullet arcing through its flight........... ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 23, 2009, 10:46:31 PM
I'll be shooting it this weekend (if it doesn't rain again) using hand loaded ammo. 158 gr lead bullet over 2.8 gr of Unique, for a blistering 620 fps. Updates will follow.

Looking forward to the report. 
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: CJS3 on September 27, 2009, 07:31:15 PM
Well after a trip to the range, I'm moving the Meriden to the Ugliest Gun Thread, voluntarily. Fortunately I was able to tack the targets to the broad side of a barn, so I was able to hit something.

It functioned as well as I expected, so mechanically, it's OK. Unfortunately the sights were usless and, in full sunlight, are almost invisible. I ran 25 rounds through it and they all hit the paper. Just not at the point on the paper where I was aiming.

All in all, I guess for a 95 year old $1.98 pistol, it worked as well as expected. I'll clean it up, touch up any scratches and it'll wind up in a shadow box in my study.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 27, 2009, 07:58:20 PM
So basically it shoot as if it was brand new. Remember, these guns were sold so poor folks could be safe to, not for target matches.
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: CJS3 on September 27, 2009, 08:05:46 PM
 ;)
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 27, 2009, 08:12:45 PM
Keep it up CJ, your tinkering is educational for some of us  ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: Johnny Bravo on September 27, 2009, 08:29:03 PM
Keep it up CJ, your tinkering is educational for some of us  ;D


+1  I enjoyed it. Great post and nice work CJ !
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: 1911 Junkie on September 27, 2009, 10:20:39 PM
Did he really just say "shadow box"?

Dude, grow a pair.




















 ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: david86440 on September 27, 2009, 10:27:22 PM
Did he really just say "shadow box"?

Dude, grow a pair.
 
 ;D

Hey, I've made some really neat shadow boxes!   
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: tombogan03884 on September 27, 2009, 10:28:59 PM
Looking forward to your next project  ;D
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: david86440 on September 27, 2009, 11:28:05 PM
 Hey Dude, you don't like my shadow boxes?



Did he really just say "shadow box"?

Dude, grow a pair.

 ;D



Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: 1911 Junkie on September 28, 2009, 10:02:45 AM
I find them harder to conceal when they're framed.  :P
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: ericire12 on September 28, 2009, 10:04:54 AM
Hey Dude, you don't like my shadow boxes?

"In case of emergency, break glass."
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: brosometal on September 28, 2009, 08:22:04 PM
Looking forward to the report. 

He's a poet but I don't think he know it...
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: Hazcat on September 28, 2009, 08:25:36 PM
He's a poet but I don't think he know it...

What are you drinking tonight!?
Title: Re: Need info on an antique.......end result
Post by: brosometal on September 28, 2009, 08:30:35 PM
Nothing.  Scary, Huh? ;D