S&W metallurgy peaked around 1958 when the alloys/heat treatment for critical parts was improved to the state of the art. From that time up through the 1970's and early 1980's, were S&W's best years. The late 1980's saw a burst of new models, etc. but, unfortunately, a serious dip in quality control. New manufacturing processess eventually compensated for the loss of the former careful attention to detail in assembling revolvers.