Was wasting time on GB today when I came to the photo below of a ruined A-2. The gun is complete except for the frame, and I assume it was ruined by a police dept. in jurisdiction whereby any gun confiscated or turned in by a member of the public is put out of commission by cutting the frame into. In this case the gun was apparently left in a damp space or case before being parted out; but what a shame to do such a thing to this rare gun.
Posted by Tom Garver on June 20, 2020, 8:43 pm, in reply to "A Travesty"
Agreed. These parts have been on GB for quite awhile. It will take a bit of searching to find a receiver for this as it requires firing pin bushings with what I believe are set screws in the photo. Going to be a very expensive restoration and you would have a gun with at least 3 different serial numbers. Tom
Re: A Travesty
Posted by Bob Hamilton on June 30, 2020, 10:32 pm, in reply to "Re: A Travesty"
I agree, what a travesty! It looks like the starting bid has been lowered but this is really beyond a project. It looks like it was stored in a water bucket. If all the existing parts were not rusted there could be hope if you found the correct frame, the barrels look horrible. Too bad. Further complicating matters is that it looks like the barrel lug has the rare second type of barrel stop. I thought that type of barrel stop was only used for extractor guns, maybe I’m missing something.
Anyway it is very painful to look at what happened to this rare A2, how that could happen is beyond my comprehension.
Bob
Re: A Travesty
Posted by Tom Archer on July 1, 2020, 10:31 am, in reply to "Re: A Travesty"
It would take many many hours (and much expense) on the part of a really good gunsmith and engraver; and it's most likely a replacement frame would never properly fit the original stock, but the gun could be restored were someone that dedicated. If someone were to attempt a restoration, they'd need to begin with a salvaged frame Grade 2 gun or higher as those graded frames already have the frame properly shaped for a high grade gun; all lower grades would require the breech balls be filed and contoured to high grade gun profile. As to the second style joint check, this was designed and used on some early auto ejector guns (never seen it on an extractor gun); but was discontinued when Hunter determined it unnecessary. The biggest issue with that device is that if it ever breaks so that the pins won't retract from the frame cuts, it is almost impossible to remove the barrels from the frame.
Re: A Travesty
Posted by Bob Hamilton on July 1, 2020, 12:31 pm, in reply to "Re: A Travesty"
Thanks for the info. Tom.
I don't think I can look at that listing again, so sad.