Odin
.327 Meteor
Posts: 966
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Post by Odin on Oct 17, 2019 22:29:38 GMT -5
Back when getting a mid-frame three screw converted to 44 special was "a thing", was it something that any old shade tree gunsmith could do, or was it more in the realm of the master craftsman?
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Post by kings6 on Oct 17, 2019 22:36:44 GMT -5
Does not seem like it would take much to rechamber the cylinder then swap out the barrels once Ruger started making the 44 mag blackhawks but that is just an armchair perspective.
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Post by zeus on Oct 17, 2019 22:48:51 GMT -5
Not rocket science but there is an art to executing it flawlessly.
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Odin
.327 Meteor
Posts: 966
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Post by Odin on Oct 17, 2019 23:53:34 GMT -5
Found one locally. Lack of provenance kept me from scooping it up immediately as I could just get a NMFT Bisley for less dineros and know just what I'm getting... But then I get all nostalgic and I'm like, "maybe I should just pick it up..." Those ol' guns might not have been perfect, but damn they've got some soul...
Are there any guidelines as to pricing a 44 spec. conversion? Three screw pricing completely baffles me. One gun in the case will be $400 and its twin setting right next to it will be priced at $1000.
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Post by potatojudge on Oct 18, 2019 0:51:59 GMT -5
If it's a nice, no- name conversion I'd think $6-700 depending on options to start. Flat top a little more. Grips, sights, CCH, etc would add a bit.
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Post by squawberryman on Oct 18, 2019 6:52:08 GMT -5
It never hurts to know who did the work. If Harton, Forkin, JRH or Clements did it you can see it. Horvath, no. I don't know of other smiths that don't sign their work.
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Post by contender on Oct 18, 2019 7:45:50 GMT -5
I once found a Bowen,,, FT 357 that had been converted to 44 spl. the marking was not very noticeable,, and the seller didn't know who had done it. When I found it,, I didn't have the money right away,, and sweated a bit until I was able to raise the money & go back & get it. A VERY well done gun,, and the seller didn't think much of 44 Spl. I got it,, and was happy.
Then,, along came a friend,, who really got a case of "gottahavesit" and I chose to let him get the gun off me in a trade deal,, where I didn't make a dime.
My point is this; Study the gun VERY carefully & slowly for the marks of who did the conversion. My seller had no clue.
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Post by zeus on Oct 18, 2019 7:52:16 GMT -5
Horvath used to be noticeable because of how he did the caliber markings on the frame. But Iām not sure how he does it these days.
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Post by mike454 on Oct 18, 2019 8:02:10 GMT -5
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Post by zeus on Oct 18, 2019 8:03:39 GMT -5
Well. There ya go š
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Post by bushog on Oct 18, 2019 8:09:18 GMT -5
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Post by mike454 on Oct 18, 2019 8:21:21 GMT -5
It's not, but I can look around for it next week. Have to drop off some odds and ends.
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jgt
.327 Meteor
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Posts: 782
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Post by jgt on Oct 18, 2019 8:36:19 GMT -5
There is no telling what some gunsmith did on any given gun that was converted. I have had many conversions. Some were great, some not so much. If I can not shoot it before I buy it then I price it the same as a shooter grade of that particular brand gun. If you convert a gun, you had better be willing to keep it for life. If you expect to get all the money out of a conversion that was put into it, you could be very disappointed. During the panic, not so much. Now days it is returning to normal. If there is a factory version in that caliber, you are money ahead to start with it and go from there. If we are talking buying a three screw converted to 44 special and not marked, you should know what you are doing or make sure you protect yourself. A poor conversion can be a money pit.
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Post by squawberryman on Oct 18, 2019 9:51:17 GMT -5
Funny, sometimes you think you know something about somethings, then someone reminds you your memory is toast. This is an old Horvath marking. Thanks Glenn 
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Post by squawberryman on Oct 18, 2019 10:01:07 GMT -5
Someone start a Horvath gallery thread. I don't have many pics right now, but I'd be prompted.
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