I think that`s the point. Demand grew up and Quality went poor at this time. The photo was taken after I polished the Chambers with a felt, some KG2 boar polish and using a Dremel. Before that it was even worse. I shot 100 rounds 240gr. factory .44 Magnum ammo through it with no issues. I think the Problem is, that Iam a perfectionist
Directly after purchase I brought it to a Club30 Gunsmith who refinished the forcing cone. S&W did not file it properly, so that it was uneven causing the cylinder gap beeing to small when hot after 40 rounds or so… I think those issues appear now, because it has not been used the past 42 years. That`s what it Looks like.
Sorry for misspelling, my German is better than my Englisch
Here is a photo of the Beauty together with my Coonan Classic.