Model 12 Alloy Frame finish & erosion?

cmansguns · #1 06-05-2023, 08:09 AM

Spotted a post the other day by Hawg Rider where he described a basically NIB Model 12-3 that really looked good and most of the comments were about possible frame cracks. Some of the posts had pics of members Model 12's and they looked good too.

What was the factory finish on these guns? It does not look like traditional bluing to me, rather more like my old Ruger Mk III that was some sort of black anodizing.

I did see a gun for sale about a year ago that I had no interest in, at any price, because of the severe wear on the frame, to the point that it looked to be massively "flame cut", but in areas that made no sense (behind the recoil shield, by the release latch).

Take a look at the pics. It is a Model 12-2 but whatever finish was ever on it looks to be completely gone. What would cause this severe erosion like gouges? Heavy abrasive sandblasting?

I'm basically just curious, I wouldn't buy this one like I said at any price even for a parts gun.

Some pics are attached

Pisgah · #2 06-05-2023, 08:15 AM

Nickle plated.

sceva · #3 06-05-2023, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pisgah

Nickle plated.

with whet looks like corrosion in the corners. (Yes, Aluminum will corrode)

sheepdawg · #4 06-06-2023, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmansguns

Spotted a post the other day by Hawg Rider where he described a basically NIB Model 12-3 that really looked good and most of the comments were about possible frame cracks. Some of the posts had pics of members Model 12's and they looked good too.

What was the factory finish on these guns? It does not look like traditional bluing to me, rather more like my old Ruger Mk III that was some sort of black anodizing.

I did see a gun for sale about a year ago that I had no interest in, at any price, because of the severe wear on the frame, to the point that it looked to be massively "flame cut", but in areas that made no sense (behind the recoil shield, by the release latch).

Take a look at the pics. It is a Model 12-2 but whatever finish was ever on it looks to be completely gone. What would cause this severe erosion like gouges? Heavy abrasive sandblasting?

I'm basically just curious, I wouldn't buy this one like I said at any price even for a parts gun.

Some pics are attached

The steel barrel and cylinder were blued. The aluminum frame was some sort of black oxide that wears quicker than the blue. Rare to see a model 12 without finish issues. My 64 12-2 is my regular carry and it isn't a showpiece.

Engine49guy · #5 06-06-2023, 02:52 AM

Iirc the aluminum frame SWs of that era are anodized...
Have a 12-2 in my CCW rotation that had edge wear, was a SB now is a RB grip frame.
The advantage of the Airweights is their ease of carry but they are more fragile so not my range guns, strictly CCW.