My local shop has a model 38 that has a blued frame with a polished chrome cylinder and barrel. Factory job or pimped out by owner?

It can be very hard to tell sometimes.

Heres mine, pic isnt great smeary wax on the gun.



Its homemade not factory. Things you can check, cylinder has a N stamped on it, have a nickel latch, have a full nickel extractor?

Look for evidence that the barrel was removed, was the pin knocked out?

If it has the box, it should show finish BN, lots of folks can change that

Other folks might have more or better suggestions.

If dont well it can be very hard to tell.

I think that pinto M38s are really nice!!

looks just like that!