I saw a nickled Combat Masterpiece today that didn't have recessed chambers. The SN puts it as 1952 manufacture. The cylinder was numbered to the gun; looked like the right typeface...so not an obvious fake. The extractor star was blued and not cut either. It belongs to a friend and he says it shoots like a dream. Although the nickel if rough, the gun itself is in great shape and is very tight.
Am I missing something here? Were the Combat Masterpieces not recessed? Is this a replacement cylinder?
I'll try to get pics if they'll help.