Help with Restoration Problem

[redberens]

My father has a blued Virginian Dragoon with a 12" barrel. Some time ago, the ejector rod broke off. Rather than have a competant gunsmith fix it, Dad thought it would be better to have a backyard mechanic weld it back on. Needless to say, it's pretty ugly now.

I would like to restore the old gun, but have some concerns. Would the heat of the welder ruined the barrel? Would it be better to simply remove the old barrel and have a new one put on, or would I be ok to simply have the weld cut, and refinish the old barrel?

I called Turnbull restoration, but they said they weren't interested in working on it. I'm not sure if they just don't work on Virginians, or if it would be too hard/expensive. I was just told thanks, but no thanks.

If it needs a new barrel, does anyone have a suggestion for who could do it?

[Doc Barranti]

Try Alan Harton...he is a master at sixgun restoration and welding....

713-772-8314 or 713-907-6031
[e-mail]

[Aggie01]

Do you have a picture? I'm unclear as to whether a stud was welded to the barrel or the ERH itself was welded on. If the barrel has been welded on, I'd bet that restoring contours on a barrel you might never be able to trust will be about as expensive as rebarreling.
My understanding is that that isn't a Turnbull kind of project.
Now if it was a first gen colt in that shape, and you didn't mind missing your next house payment, that probably more like what they do.
As far as who could do it, there is a thread around these parts listing sixgun smiths - start making calls/sending emails. (again, pics are good).

[Lee Martin]

I'd have a gunsmith install a new barrel. Probably wouldn't cost much more over fixing the original.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com

[TEXASFIVEGUN]

How about a pic so we can see what we are talking about?

[redberens]

Thank you for posting Alan's contact info. I just got off the phone with him. Aside from being one of the nicest guys I've ever talked to, he was very helpful. He's pretty sure he can fix it without replacing the barrel.

Obviously he can't give me a definite price, but his ballpark figure was a lot lower than I feared it would be. We also talked about having the frame re-color case hardened while it's down there as well. I might as well give the old gun a make-over while I'm at it. It'll be a while before this project gets done, but I'll be sure to post pictures when it is.

Thanks again for your help guys.

[nobearsyet]

We try (althouhg I didn't get get a hand in on this one), good luck