Colleagues

Contemplating the purchase online of a .32 HE 3-screw 3rd style flat latch I believe is a Mod 30 J frame.

The finish is nickel, but online pics are too poor to tell if lettering is crisp. But the trigger and hammer are also nickel.

Didn't all factory nickel guns have case hardened triggers & hammers?

Thanks in advance...

Yes, if the hammer and trigger are nickel you can be sure its a non-factory refinish.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Nickel plated hammers and triggers are the biggest indicator of a refinish job. And by someone who lacks the knowledge that they were never factory plated....
Not a deal breaker if the loss of collecter value is reflected in the price. Might be a nice shooter under there.

OZ

Thank you, gentlemen!

Unless it is a Model 30-1, it isn't a J frame. When they went to the J frame from the I frame in 1961, the model mark changed to 30-1. Care to share the serial number?

__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Not to make a thing about it, but both and either/or hammers and triggers have been nickel plated (as original equipment--specif., some/several of the original 357 Magnums). Probably the very best thing you can say about S&W without jamming your foot in your mouth, is to never say never and never say always about anything they did or didn't do. That said, a nickel hammer and/or trigger should be deemed fair warning something very likely ain't quite right, and you should keep your hand on your wallet.

Ralph Tremaine