I have a 6" model 48-3 pinned barrel 22 mrf. This appears to be a stainless steel gun. I know all info indicates that this gun was made only in blue with a few nickel existing but not cataloged. I have had several socalled expert gun people look at it and everyone seems to have their own opionion but no real conviction. Any opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

Since it is marked as a Model 48-3 I would be willing to firmly state it is not a stainless steel gun. More likely it is a gun re-frinished by one of the better shops who apply some form of hard chrome. The best of those can fool you into thinking it is stainless. Most folks can easily tell nickel from stainless so it's probably not one of those.

For any more definitive opinions you would have to post a few good pictures, the more the better.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Definitely not stainless steel. Most likely some sort of after market hard chrome that looks like stainless steel.

Im not sure how to post pictures. I agree that most likely what you say, but this gun appears 100% total factory. I am not sure what all the proof marks mean, but none of the markings/logos look filled at all. that is what is so interesting about this. Everything except the front site and the extraction rod and ejector is cromed or stainless. I mean every pin, screw, everything appears factory. Even the B stamped in the cylinder (which indicates it was a blue gun) is not filled in at all. Anyway, I am currently inquirying with Smith but may be a few days. There is a F16 stamped in the crain and the butt frame. At the very least, a good conversation piece. Side by side with other stainless guns I have, they look the same. How do you post pictures? Thanks

S&W does make a stainless version or the 48, but it will be marked 648. I'm also thinking yours has a aftermarket finish. Pictures needed.

[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]Couple pics I think

Judging by your pictures, it is simply not stainless steel. The 648 had a full lug barrel. A quality after-market finish would have all of the pins and screws finished, so there is nothing unusual about that. In addition, a properly done finish does not "fill-in" the S&W emblem or the roll marks.

The finisher did a smart thing by leaving the rear sight slide and the front sight black as that will make sighting easier than if those parts had been hard chromed.

Absolutely this is a aftermarket plated revolver

If this were a factory stainless gun, the extractor would be stainless not blue. The factory used to leave the extractors blue on factory nickel plated revolvers. This aftermarket plateer followed that pattern

Additional clue, the rear sight housing is plated to match the firearm, it looks like only the blade and adjusting screw are blue. This can be seen in the second picture.

Added pictures

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Well, you guys seem to know what your talking about, what Ive got is a nice after market gun. Who ever did the work did a nice job. what do you guys think this one is worth? thanks for all your help.

I'd shoot the heck out of it and enjoy it.
The hard chrome finish makes it a great carry gun.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

I know that a true collector would frown on the hard chrome refinish, but I have a old 4 screw k22 masterpiece that looks like it came out of the same shop as yours, except my front sight is plated, and I love it, for over 40 years it has rode on tractors , in pickups, lives in a leather S&W 6" k frame holster, been packed on hundreds of long gun hunts ect.

she usually sports pacmars to keep the original numbered magnas looking great a blue gun would look well worn by now the hard chrome gun looks as good today as it did 40 years ago.

this is it in the middle of the photo, and has seen much more wear and use than the little 32he just below it


I might be strange but if I had a chance I would pay a premium for one of these, I wish smith would have offered it as a factory finish

Back in the 70's and 80's when we had our shop, we had many guns that were finished in "metalife SS" (Mahovskys Metalife) out of Penna...Ron did a great job, and over the years many folks would call or say they have this gun or that gun that is "stainless" but in fact, are NOT....the gun pictured above appears to be just like one of those...yes the sights were or were NOT finished per the customers request..........
it is easy enough to check out and test for this by going to an out of the way spot on the gun, ( under the stocks?) and make a scratch, use a bit of 'cold blue' and the underlying metal will darken, and "take " the blue.the simple 'magnet' test does NOT work on stainless steel alloys used in gun making, and will "stick' to the metal........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

Hi 57chev,

It is difficult to judge, but on the pictures the revolver looks a little bit yellow, that is why I think that the guns has received an aftermarket electroless nickel treatment.

Best regards
Paul from Germany,
SWCA # 1354

In the era before SS took over gun making, it was common for custom smiths to do plating such as this for guns that were expected to see a lot of use. It is still a fine finish on a fine revolver, for that use. Of course, collectors only see the lack of originality. You have a fine gun.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

I think it's a damn good-looking piece as it is. If I had any money I'd make you an offer on it. Collectible? Probably not, but a handsome, durable shooter.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Looks like electroless nickel to me. I've seen a few Smiths plated like this and it does mimic stainless.