Model 36 case head markings on recoil shield

[reaper556]

Never noticed this before when I first bought this little model 36 but it has case head markings all around the recoil shield. Is this indicative of a high round count or normal use? To me it seems to have been carried a lot but shot very little but thought it strange to have those marks

 

[glenwolde]

I'd say that one's been shot a lot.

 

[cahotshoe]

I wonder if it rode around for years in a glovebox and the cartridge cases just rattled a gazillion times. No prime4 marks cause they are recessed.

 

[reaper556]

I wonder if it rode around for years in a glovebox and the cartridge cases just rattled a gazillion times. No prime4 marks cause they are recessed.

That's the only thing I could come up with myself. The right side grip is worn way down on the bottom edge. The cylinder is missing the most finish and then the edges of the barrel on the sides.

 

[Piwo]

All of my frequently carried revolvers look like that to varying degrees. Totally normal. Just means gun has been carried a lot loaded. I believe caused by cartridge jiggle. I love guns that look like that one. If it could only talk!

 

[reaper556]

All of my frequently carried revolvers look like that to varying degrees. Totally normal. Just means gun has been carried a lot loaded. I believe caused by cartridge jiggle. I love guns that look like that one. If it could only talk!

I agree with wishing it could talk. It came from long island so I like to think it could have been a NYPD officers back up from back when or something interesting along those lines

 

[H Richard]

My opinion, it has been shot a fair amount with really hot ammo.

 

[Fishinfool]

Nice old revolver with a lot of history I'd bet. Another sign that it may have been shot quite a bit is the wear on the ejector rod - a part that usually does not show finish wear from just carrying.

Larry

 

[reaper556]

My opinion, it has been shot a fair amount with really hot ammo.

Due to the case head markings? I am asking because I'm trying to learn more as I'm not super savvy on revolvers. The tip on the finish loss on the ejector rod by fishinfool was a good one also as I would not have guessed it or known of that as something to look at on them

 

[glenwolde]

Nice old revolver with a lot of history I'd bet. Another sign that it may have been shot quite a bit is the wear on the ejector rod - a part that usually does not show finish wear from just carrying.

Larry

Yeah, I noticed that also. It's kind of hidden with all the other wear on the gun but it it a sign.

It doesn't matter if it's been shot a little or a lot. All that matters is its current condition.

 

[Steve912]

How's endshake on the cylinder?

 

[k22fan]

Many moons ago wiser and more experienced members than I posted that shooting a lot leaves no bluing behind the chamber in line with the barrel but removes little or none of the rest of the recoil shield's bluing. They posted that, in contrast, lots of carrying evenly removes the bluing behind all the chambers that hold cartridges in contact with the recoil shield. Bluing is rubbed off the extractor rod by emptying the cylinder whether or not the cartridges were fired. The same is true of holster wear and certainly true of the butt banging into things while holstered. The gun might not have fired enough to acquire wear from firing.

 

[Lady Smith]

I have the same marks on my Manurhin MR88D all around the recoil shield and also a little on my Model 67-6.
My Model 67 for sure comes from the police so it hasn't been shot a lot (don't forget I live in France they only have to shoot 300 cartridges per year at the range...).
As regards to my MR88D I think it was used by the police as well or by the customs or by cash escorts at some point. By the way, this one seems to has been shot a fair amount due to the marks all around the cylinder on the cylinder stop area.

 

[reaper556]

How's endshake on the cylinder?

Has some very slight movement back and forth but I do not have any feeler gauges

 

[wheelgun28]

I agree with wishing it could talk. It came from long island so I like to think it could have been a NYPD officers back up from back when or something interesting along those lines

This is quite possible, the gun has one of the clues on it.

On the right side of the gun behind the cylinder and under the hammer it has a rub mark. This mark comes from the required holster used by the NYPD. The holster had a snap strap and it left that mark on the gun. It is far from conclusive but something that is found on the guns. Knowing about that mark and coming from Long Island NY, I'd wager it did its tour in NYC.

 

[stonebuster]

Has some very slight movement back and forth but I do not have any feeler gauges

I bought a NY dept of Corrections model 10 that has a recoil shield that looks just like yours. I've no doubt my M10 has been shot a lot. I'd guess 4-5000 rounds from annual qualifying used by multiple guards. It was a pool gun carried loaded through multiple shifts in a day and is probably why it looks as it does. It's ejector rod also has blue loss. It still shoots well and has no timing issues. I got a set of automotive feeler gauges cheap to check my revolver's end shake and B/C gap which you probably ought to do. BTW, enjoy your model 36.

 

[Marshal Kane]

Looks like shot a lot. Doesn't have to be shot a lot to get those marks on the recoil shield nor does it have to be P or +P ammunition. My Model 15 carries the same marks and it has been shot a lot with wadcutters and mid range ammunition. My Model 28 has the same marks and it hasn't been shot a lot nor with much .357 factory ammunition. Looks like normal wear to me.

 

[glenwolde]

I'll confess I've never carried a blued revolver enough to find out. But given a muzzle-down carry it would seem gravity would keep them from giving much of an impact to the recoil shield. Unless the owner did an hour of calisthenics in full rig every day.

I have however fired 20,000+ rounds through more than one blued S&W and they all developed those marks.

 

[stansdds]

Marks like that on the recoil shield are consistent with a revolver that has been shot a whole lot.

 

[JH1951]

I have been seeing this on some heavily used pieces as well as some that have very little obvious use. There seems to be no rhyme nor reason to me. Perhaps it is the composition of the brass?