I've read several times now that copper ammo is not recommended for early guns, and also about the metallurgy being not as good as say, post 1920's.

I realize that technology improves as time goes on, but I was just wondering if someone would be interested in talking about the specifics of the metallurgy & changes through the early part of the century, and I'd suppose that is also tied to the recommendations for lead only in older guns. Thanks in advance,

Josh P

The earlier S&W revolvers, before ca 1960, were made in the days when jacketed bullets were uncommon or non-existant in the ammunition of the day. The barrel steel was not heat-treated as in later days, and was of different alloys. As a result they tend to wear more quickly if used with jacketed bullets since the jacket material has a far greater coefficient of friction than a lubricated Lead bullet.

^+1 additionally the cylinders were not hardened until around 1920 or so when they began putting MADE IN U.S.A. on the frame (there are specific serials but marking is "yardstick"). Someone will likely give you a more precise mild-moderate-warm/hot sequence than I can, but you get the idea.

I would like something factual info about 'heat treating' re cylinders and barrels. I have some experience with heat treating of carbon steels & I've done some work on guns 1890s-WW One and don't see evidence of heat treating.

The SCSW reports the serial number it began in around 1920 which is beyond the 1890 to 11-11-1918 period.

Thanks folks, that is helpful. So I'm looking at a gun that must be in the grey area. It was shipped in early 1922, but does not appear to have the Made in USA on the right side of the frame. Maybe someone will know the serial number cutoff point.

Edit: I just found it "heat treated cylinders began at approximately serial number 316648" from the SWSC. The one I'm looking at is beyond that in the 385K range (early 1922) but does not appear to have the Made in USA on the frame. Maybe a little lag in time on that practice in the early 20's. I saw a pic of a 1925 that does have the made in usa.

I don't know if there is any way to tell if it's heat treated, visually, but I doubt it.

Now I'm trying to see if I can find anything about the barrels.

Josh P

Don't forget the 1917 and 1937 revolvers were made to fire FMJ .45acp ammo.

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That's interesting Deacon, because I have a 1917, made in 1918, and I have some FMJ ammo that I was wondering if I should fire in it or not. Do you know what was done differently on the those models to use FMJs?

JP

Elmer Keith wrote that back in the '20s, a friend from the National Guard would bring him a case of 5000 .45 ACP cartridges and a new 1911 barrel, as the lands in the barrel would wash out with that much use.

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"Do you know what was done differently on the those models to use FMJs?"

The US government mandated that the cylinders in the 1917s be heat treated.

__________________
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WAR EAGLE!

Thank you Muley!

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