I know the 27 has a more refined finish than the 28, but how does the 27's finish match up to the other N Frames. (29, 25, 57 etc)

Same? Better?

Sorry for the low tech beginner question.

At least I didn't ask which is the cutest.

Finishes changed over the years. Very distinctive pre war vs post war vs later. The 27 was always at the top, but others were as good in some of the periods. ie, the early 29's from mid 50's thru early 60's are the best in my opinion.

Charlie

As far as the quality of finish is concerned, you would be hard put to distinguish between the finish of the models 27, 29, 57, etc. that were manufactured during the same time period. Degree of polish and bluing process would have been identical. These were all considered to be "premium" models worthy of the best finish.

It all depends on when the guns were made. The older guns have a better blue on them than the 90 and newer guns do. Too bad S&W does not still do the older style bluing. Nothing beats a nice N frame that has a high polished blue to it!

James

Models 27, 29, and 57 were all cataloged as being available in bright blue or nickel. Models 24, 25, and 26 were all cataloged as being available in S&W blue.

It is true the degree of polish varied over the years with earlier usually being better.

Bill

I was just scratching my head yesterday wondering why the 27 was the only one that got the checkered top strap treatment and none for the 25, 29, and 57?? Boy that adds an elegance to those 27's!

different bluing process. even the deliberate matte on the old 28 is nicer than the current and inconsistent finish i see on new production guns.

I wonder that myself. Good question.

Let's thank the EPA for the change.

Here is a picture of several of the N frames mentioned that give an indication of the old bright blue. They are some of the favorites in my collection. They all remain NIB and I'm the original owner.

Many of us have had the opportunity to observe the evolution of the finish on the N frame guns and agonize over that and the many features that have been lost. I agree the earlier N frames tended to have the best blue finishes, apparently because more time could be spent on the process.



As with so many things in our lives the impact of political issues and their consequences have dictated what we have and are "allowed" to buy today. Bluing quality, legal issues like the IL, constant threats of gun control.... all have left us with the realization we are damn lucky to have been left with the firearms we have available, much as they are sometimes criticized.

I wouldn't want to speculate on where we will be in 30 years if the trends of the last 30 continue...

__________________
Terry

Gorgeous but.......you never shot any of them? You have the willpower of a saint!

I'm fixing to obtain an older Model 25 4" that should be interesting to compare to my relatively new M27 Classic. I'll definitely write something about the comparison.

***GRJ***

My observations:

earlier is generally better

27s generally got the best

the 4 screw era was great for finishes across the board

S&W changed from the hot oven process (carbona blue) to the liquid penetrating process in 1980. In my limited experience with newer S&Ws, the liquid process results in a darker or "blacker" finish. However, if S&W highly polishes the revolver before applying the finish, the result is still quite spectacular. So, polish is still the determining factor.

Bill

My brand new s&w m29-10 in blue is really close finish wise to my older s&w m27-2. The glossy blue finish is really close. I'm new to s&w but I can see how close the finish is.

"S&W changed from the hot oven process (carbona blue) to the liquid penetrating process in 1980."

Really???

DWalt...Yes, they did.

Bill

The EPA caused the changed in bluing processes, but what I don't understand is why Ford's can still do the Carbonia Bluing and S&W cannot. I believe the same holds true for Colt.

Yes Sir!

I can see the difference in color comparing my 29-2 that dates to about 1980 and my 19-3 that shipped in 1971. The 19 has almost a smoked chrome look to it at certain angles when the light hits it right. The 29 is definitely darker, blacker looking.