Dull Blue Cylinder on Model 18 (22 cal), little help

[magnumb]

I have a model 18 4 inch that is otherwise in pristine condition. The cylinder blueing looks dull compared to the rest. I am wondering is this may be due to lead/lub deposits from dirty 22 lr rounds.
What is the best way to clean, and or polish the cylinder. Don't want to damage the bluing, but is just looks worse than the rest of this fine example. Tried renaissance wax, helped a little bit, but that "grey film" really needs to go. All help greatly appr3eciated

 

[rct269]

Having not seen the gun, I'm not going speculate about the cause of the dull finish----only make a suggestion about cleaning. Renaissance Wax is just that----wax. The same company provides, and recommends a cleaner known as Pre-Lim (a surface cleaner). It's use pretty much guarantees a clean surface.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[chief38]

The cylinder or its finish might not be original.

Flitz can be used VERY CAREFULLY! If used incorrectly, or with power tools the blued finish will be compromised. Just a light polishing with a cotton T shirt might help. If you do this - go slowly and do not over polish!

 

[JOliver]

I agree with above, nothing too aggressive but some good car wax will work too. I wax all my blue revolvers. Don't use a rubbing compound just a regular wax. I have even used NUFinish as that's all I had and it works fine.

 

[steelslaver]

The blue on the cylinder may not have been a match from the factory. Even if the steel is exactly the same its structure will change depending on the heat treat method used on each particular piece. That structure will effect just how the blue colors the metal and what happens to the blue as it ages.

 

[racoonbeast]

The blue on the cylinder may not have been a match from the factory. Even if the steel is exactly the same its structure will change depending on the heat treat method used on each particular piece. That structure will effect just how the blue colors the metal and what happens to the blue as it ages.

Plus one on what steelslayer has said above. Attached is the picture of my 3rd Model Smith that comes from 1927. This gun, or its cylinder, have not been altered. Something went wrong in the batch of bluing that did this cylinder. It has caused it to turn a plum color as it ages.

Mistakes in bluing at the factory are not common, but they do happen.

A wise man told me to rejoice in the fact that I had a rare factory variation of a fine gun. I plan to take his advice. You might give it some thought.

 

[stansdds]

Plus one on what steelslayer has said above. Attached is the picture of my 3rd Model Smith that comes from 1927. This gun, or its cylinder, have not been altered. Something went wrong in the batch of bluing that did this cylinder. It has caused it to turn a plum color as it ages.

Mistakes in bluing at the factory are not common, but they do happen.

A wise man told me to rejoice in the fact that I had a rare factory variation of a fine gun. I plan to take his advice. You might give it some thought.

That is an extraordinarily plum colored cylinder! True, slight variations in bluing of barrel, frame, and cylinder are pretty common among S&W revolvers.

 

[Hondo44]

If the Flitz doesn't improve it.

Some thoughts;

The most likely IMHO is that the cyl was reblued for whatever reason and not done properly. The shine of the blue is dependent on the polish of the bare metal underneath.

Carefully view the surface of the cyl with magnification and bright sunshine. Look for polishing marks beneath the blue. Then compare polishing marks on the rest of the gun; do they match?

Are the edges of the flutes no longer crisp and look slightly buffed or rounded?

Those would be evidence of poor metal preparation. And no amount of polishing will fix it w/o taking the blue off.

Most likely having the cyl prepared and reblued properly is the only satisfactory option, and just the cyl wouldn't cost that much. If interested If interested I can supply reputable refinish shops that have met the high standards of forum members.

 

[magnumb]

here is a picture of the issue

you can see the barrel is super clean, blue and shiny. The cylinder a little less luster. The side plate too is even more dull. Just cleaned everything with hoppes 9 real well and applied renaissance wax. This is a range shooter, not a safe queen but would still like to have it look its best. This will be a pass down thru generations. Taught my wife and children to shoot with this gun and soon my granddaughter.

 

[murphydog]

There is often a slight mismatch in finish between the barrel and cylinder (which usually match) and the frame. I think what I can see in the photo is normal variation but there is no harm with using a 'very light' polishing to make the cylinder more shiny.

Usually only the front cylinder face is the area that gets dull with firing residue.