any way to tell mat vs polished stainless?

rajbcpa · #1 10-25-2014, 12:01 PM

...this is hard to determine from pictures on the net. are certain models only mat finishes or only polished stainless finishes?

Mat finished guns seemed to be priced lower but not all auctions or dealer sales include a specific description of the item being sold as stainless mat or stainless polished finish. ...I'm I the only one with this issue? I prefer a polished stainless finish.

Specifically, I'm on the prowl for a 4 inch L frame in 357, or an N frame in 44 mag. Are there specific model numbers that are polished stainless?

thanks...

H Richard · #2 10-25-2014, 12:10 PM

Look at the pictures, or if not shown, request pictures from the seller. Very few S&W stainless guns were high polish, but with Mothers Mag Polish you can take a regular brushed stainless and turn it into a high polish with a little work.

Kernel Crittenden · #3 10-25-2014, 12:59 PM

The matte finish is completely uniform. It's sometimes called "Bead Blast" or "Vapor Hone", which are different processes that result in the same look. One part of the gun looks exactly like the next. There are no fine brush marks, swirl, grain, streaks, no marks whatsoever.

The standard finish, which is sometimes called "Brushed" or "Satin", has some grain to it. On close inspection you can see fine brush marks. It's not entirely random. There's direction and a discernible pattern.

High Polish, or Bright, on a stainless gun is very rare from the factory. I've only ever seen it on a few commemorative like specials. But it's not hard to achieve with some Mother's or Flitz, a soft rag, and lots of elbow grease.

It's certainly hard to tell one from the other on the internet. Especially with bad cell phone pictures. The best you can do is ask for high res in-focus up-close pictures and look for any brush marks. If you see them, then you know it's not matte.

Here's something I wrote for another thread some time ago....

Quote:

From my observations there seem to be four broad categories of stainless finish.

Bright - highly polished, looks like nickel, no brush marks. Not common on standard production guns. Seen on some commemoratives and presentation boxed guns. Something special. Can be touched-upped with polish (Mother's, Flitz, Iosso) and a soft cotton cloth.

Satin - low gloss, brush marks not obviously visible at arm's length but can be seen on close inspection, lightly buffed. Common on J-frames, K-frames, N-frames, service revolvers, most standard product. Used exclusivity on all stainless guns pre-1980. Can be repaired with very fine Scotch Brite pad (gray).

Brushed - no gloss, visible and obvious brush marks, has a definite "grain" and "direction", seen on a lot L-frames from introduction, could be found on any frame from mid-80's forward. Common, but not as common IMO as the satin. Probably a cost saving measure. Can be touched-up with fine Scotch Brite pad.

Matte - A glass bead blast (not "sandblasted"), entirely uniform, no brush marks of any kind. Common on Performance Center guns, but can be found on others (Lady Smiths). The first I saw were the Model of 1988 & 1989 guns, and from 1991 on some low production K-frame **Specials**. Used on stainless J-frames AirLites mid-90's forward (the alloy frame looking similar, being coated/painted silver/clear). All edges sharp nothing dished or rounded. From any distance the gun looks like stainless steel, not the flat "gray" seen on aftermarket sandblasted guns - which may also show refinishing signs (dished and rounded). Matte can NOT be touched-up with Scotch Brite - has to be reblasted.

Even within these four categories there are variations. These are my observations, and my terms my not coincide with how S&W and others use them.

rajbcpa · #4 10-25-2014, 02:13 PM

...thanks Kernal

...is there any indication on the factory box indicating the finish type?

....so a matte finish gun be converted by polishing into a satin or brushed finish?

....do all finish types suffer oxidation over time? I bought a 66 - circa 1972 recently that I polished and which made rags and a bench polishing wheel black....

Kernel Crittenden · #5 10-25-2014, 02:46 PM

...is there any indication on the factory box indicating the finish type?

In regards to finish, most box won't be marked in any way. From about 2005 on some boxes might have a "ZM" code. That means matte finish. "ZS" means satin finish. But these codes were not used on all boxes.

....so a matte finish gun be converted by polishing into a satin or brushed finish?

Yes, I believe you could, though I've never seen it done. I'd start with some 400 grit sand paper (properly backed by a semi-ridged sanding pad), work up to 1000 grit, then finish with grey 3M synthetic wool. Study a factory satin gun to understand the direction, depth, and pattern of the brush marks. Be careful not to dish the screw holes or round the sharp edges. Of course, the entire gun would have to be disassembled.

....do all finish types suffer oxidation over time? I bought a 66 - circa 1972 recently that I polished and which made rags and a bench polishing wheel black....
Even a brand new bright polish gun will turn a polishing wheel black if you go at it hard enough. Black is just what stainless steel looks like when it's buffed off. Stainless steel is suppose to have a thin layer of oxidation. It's called "passivization", and it's largely responsible for what gives stainless steel it's resistance to corrosion.

murphydog · #6 10-25-2014, 02:55 PM

Your best bet to find a factory polished stainless gun is education. A copy of the Standard Catalog of S & W 3rd edition is a good start (if you don't already have it), and will note if a factory polished stainless gun is known.

The very early model 60s were factory bright polished, but any others since then would have been special orders and therefore uncommon. Hope this is helpful.