Post by redberens on Mar 7, 2011 18:51:16 GMT -5
In the winter of 1982, I went with my father to a local department store. Dad had decided to buy his first big bore handgun, but being an old rifleman, his choice looked more like a cross between both. He picked up a Virginian Dragoon with a 12” barrel in .44 magnum. As a little boy, I had never seen something as imposing, and deadly looking as that gun. I remember watching him shoot it off the front porch, and seeing icicles falling off the house because of the concussion. When I was older, this was the first big bore gun with which I shot, and learned to love the big .44 magnum cartridge above all others. When I grew older, I found a 6” stainless Dragoon and bought it so that I’d have one like my Dads.
Several years ago, Dad brought out the old gun, but when he shot it, the ejector rod flew off. Rather than ask me to fix it, or take it to a reputable gunsmith, he brought it into town and asked the local mechanic to weld it back on. When I saw it, my heart just broke. Fast forward several years later, when I discovered this forum and read about all the outstanding gunsmiths around the country. I contacted Alan Harton, and explained what had happened and asked if he could help. If you’ve never dealt with Alan, I can tell you he is a true gentleman, and one of the nicest men I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with. He told me to ship it on down to him and he’d look at it. About one month later, Alan called to say it was done. Honestly, I didn’t expect it back for 6 months or more, but Alan said he took an interest in it and just got it done.
As you can see by the pictures, it looks great. Alan was able to remove the weld, and even save the ejector rod. He re-blued the barrel, and cylinder so that it would look like it did the day Dad brought it home. Alan pointed out one little flaw; the mechanic must have used stainless steel to weld it back on, and because of this, he was unable to completely get this out when he removed the weld. Alan explained he was worried he might have to remove too much metal, and dangerously weaken the barrel, so it was decided to leave it as is. The patch really isn’t that bad, only the size of a pea. Alan thought it would be a good reminder of the crazy idea Dad had years ago, and just add to the character.
I know, I spent almost as much money on the repair as Dad did when he bought it all those years ago, but this gun is very sentimental to me and I just couldn’t stand seeing her that way. This will always remind me of my Dad, and the special memories of shooting that brought us together.
Several years ago, Dad brought out the old gun, but when he shot it, the ejector rod flew off. Rather than ask me to fix it, or take it to a reputable gunsmith, he brought it into town and asked the local mechanic to weld it back on. When I saw it, my heart just broke. Fast forward several years later, when I discovered this forum and read about all the outstanding gunsmiths around the country. I contacted Alan Harton, and explained what had happened and asked if he could help. If you’ve never dealt with Alan, I can tell you he is a true gentleman, and one of the nicest men I’ve ever had the pleasure of speaking with. He told me to ship it on down to him and he’d look at it. About one month later, Alan called to say it was done. Honestly, I didn’t expect it back for 6 months or more, but Alan said he took an interest in it and just got it done.
As you can see by the pictures, it looks great. Alan was able to remove the weld, and even save the ejector rod. He re-blued the barrel, and cylinder so that it would look like it did the day Dad brought it home. Alan pointed out one little flaw; the mechanic must have used stainless steel to weld it back on, and because of this, he was unable to completely get this out when he removed the weld. Alan explained he was worried he might have to remove too much metal, and dangerously weaken the barrel, so it was decided to leave it as is. The patch really isn’t that bad, only the size of a pea. Alan thought it would be a good reminder of the crazy idea Dad had years ago, and just add to the character.
I know, I spent almost as much money on the repair as Dad did when he bought it all those years ago, but this gun is very sentimental to me and I just couldn’t stand seeing her that way. This will always remind me of my Dad, and the special memories of shooting that brought us together.
