andyo5
Member
Hi, all. I need some help from the Model 41 experts.
I recently purchased a used 7" M41 barrel on ebay. It was described as in excellent condition with a few tiny surface flaws, original finish, excellent bore, etc.etc.
Anyhow, I cleaned and shot the barrel today and it does seem to be in excellent mechanical condition with great groups (for me) and a bright bore with good crown and rifling.
My only concern is this:
When I first took it out of the shipping box, I noticed a bluish cast to to the left and right slab sides of the barrel. Everything else looks black, and the few tiny marks that are there could easily be touched up. But as I turned the barrel under a light, I could see the color appear to change from black to a milky blue appearance. On the left side, the cut off point seems to be the 'E' in the word 'Wesson'. If I rock the barrel backwards so the back is lower than the front, the rear half looks blue and the front half looks black. Rock it the other way, and you get the opposite results (see photos). There is a similar effect on the right side, in almost exactly the same pattern. I tried to see if it would rub off. I put some Birchwood Casey Sheath on a piece of towel and gently rubbed back and forth. Some light tan colored material came off onto the towel.
I believe that this barrel is from another production era than my gun (probably older), so I did not expect a perfect match. But I did expect it to be black.
So here's my question: Do you think this barrel has been refinished?
The seller seems quite reputable and offered a 30 day return. He seems to re-sell a variety of items and I don't think he has firearms expertise so he may actually think this is the original finish even if it isn't. I'm not sure I would return it for this, but for my peace of mind I'd like to understand this better. I paid $263 shipped.
Thanks!
I recently purchased a used 7" M41 barrel on ebay. It was described as in excellent condition with a few tiny surface flaws, original finish, excellent bore, etc.etc.
Anyhow, I cleaned and shot the barrel today and it does seem to be in excellent mechanical condition with great groups (for me) and a bright bore with good crown and rifling.
My only concern is this:
When I first took it out of the shipping box, I noticed a bluish cast to to the left and right slab sides of the barrel. Everything else looks black, and the few tiny marks that are there could easily be touched up. But as I turned the barrel under a light, I could see the color appear to change from black to a milky blue appearance. On the left side, the cut off point seems to be the 'E' in the word 'Wesson'. If I rock the barrel backwards so the back is lower than the front, the rear half looks blue and the front half looks black. Rock it the other way, and you get the opposite results (see photos). There is a similar effect on the right side, in almost exactly the same pattern. I tried to see if it would rub off. I put some Birchwood Casey Sheath on a piece of towel and gently rubbed back and forth. Some light tan colored material came off onto the towel.
I believe that this barrel is from another production era than my gun (probably older), so I did not expect a perfect match. But I did expect it to be black.
So here's my question: Do you think this barrel has been refinished?
The seller seems quite reputable and offered a 30 day return. He seems to re-sell a variety of items and I don't think he has firearms expertise so he may actually think this is the original finish even if it isn't. I'm not sure I would return it for this, but for my peace of mind I'd like to understand this better. I paid $263 shipped.
Thanks!
Attachments
Last edited:
