Stan,
I am a true believer that just about anything is possible if a gun is old enough, certainly a frame replacement is possible. In the case of my 469 I called S&W and their records indicate they never worked on my gun.

Still, one thing I have no idea about. If S&W replaces a frame, will they then refinish other parts to make the gun look new? I know they can (I had a 1066 completely refinished by them) but normally do they? If that is the case then it sounds like there would be virtually no way to distinguish a factory rebuild from and like-new used one. Any feelings?
thanks,
fuzzy