1905 4th change beater w/chrome barrel

[Nicksterdemus]

It appears to be a beater that was nickel dipped somewhere down the line. SN 2554XX should put it around 1916. However, the barrel is a S 93089X and appears to be chrome. The old nickel frame has yellowed, I believe indicative of copper plate base, and the barrel stands out being quite a bit more shiney w/o the amber hue.

Other than a fifty clam letter would I be able to use the barrel SN to determine if indeed this is a barrel that was issued chromed? Thanks.
Kind of hard to portray this through pics though this is the best I have.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Nick, are you sure about the barrel SN? I thought the S series (not SV) was for N frame guns. Would an N frame barrel from a HD, OD, pre-27 or 28 even thread into a K frame?

Besides all that, the ejector knob is the mushroom type. A later barrel would have to be milled to provide clearance. My guess is that S&W never chromed their parts and whatever was done, was done outside the factory.

 

[gordonrick]

I have an old nickel refinished M&P from about 1924 which has that same amberish tone when compared to a factory nickel side plate it currently has (long story). I think it is just a difference between the factory process and non-factroy nickel finishes.

There was an S-series in K-frame M&P after the war continuing the V/SV numbers until the C series began in 1948. The late S-series was when the short-throw hammer was introduced. You are right about the ejector knob, though. The barrel must have been milled as you said.

 

[Skeetr57]

The difference in the barrel and frame hues may just be because of the difference in age between the two parts. A serial numbered barrel obviously came from a complete gun.
I don't believe that S&W ever used copper plating under their nickle plating. I have owned S&W nickle guns in all ages and conditions, and when the nickle plate has worn through, all I have ever seen under it is bare steel. Old nickle plate sometimes has a yellow cast, just as chrome plate sometimes has a blue tint.

 

[Nicksterdemus]

Thanks for the response guys. I noticed on Pg. 139 SCSW 3rd ed at the end of 1905 4th change SN range is listed as 241704-1000000 w/758,296 manufactured. Both my frame from around 1916 & barrel of 1946 fall on opposing ends though within the 4th change.

Page 40 lists a small quantity shipped w/chrome finish. Though it goes into no detail as to what SN range this might apply.

I had read that some nickel plate, not specifically S&W, was applied over copper plate and that enhanced the yellow hue. Naturally three decades of difference could very well be the major difference. This presumes that the 1916/frame was nickeled early in its life.

I know thirty years separates manufacture, yet have no clues as to what transpired during their individual time frames before becoming a single unit.

I bought the HE about five years ago and have fired a few LRN through the non-heat treated cyclinder. Fairly tight old wheelgun. Obviously I haven't cleaned/polished it. What strikes me as a bit odd is the bright shine of the barrel vs the yellowed frame. Sticks out as a sore thumb in person. I can't hardly imagine someone polishing the barrel and leaving the frame pieces untouched.

This line of thought assumes the S brl is in the same condition as when it left the factory. In it's previous life, spanning 68 yrs, it could've been plated, chrome or nickel, before finding itself mated to the 1916 era frame.

Yes, there's a slot milled for the mushroom knob and the collar has some relief as well though not as much and this goes right up to the S. The entire rest of the barrel flat shows filing marks running perpendicular to the barrel though S and all numbers are cleanly struck w/sharp edges under a 10x loupe. All the factory roll marks are crisp as well though I see some dings under magnification that suggests occurrence prior to plating or a very thick prior plating. Longitudinal scratches, only on the front sight, is evidence of a mild grit paper backed abrasive. It also has chipped on the muzzle 10-12 o'clock that includes all of the crown.

I suppose the age difference in the plating on the barrel is the most logical conclusion. I'm used to seeing well worn/buffed parts that have been dipped. These were so sharp I thought perhaps it left the factory plated.

However, I must conclude, w/o any other supporting evidence, that the file marks on the barrel flat were laid prior to plating. The numbers are sharp and deep though inside of the circles, #9,0,8, I can still see the the file marks.

I had hoped that I could eliminate the possibility of factory chrome through the barrel SN. After being pointed out about the milling of the barrel, thanks wiregrassguy, for the knob then it becomes apparent that the barrel had to have been dipped after the milling took place.[eta: regardless of factory finish.]

That's OK. Locks up tighter than a drum. Thanks again guys for sharing your wealth of knowledge.

ETA: The kicker I suppose, again I defer to gents of knowledge, is even though the hammer/trigger were spared plating I note the forcing cone, besides being in excellent shape, is also plated. At least the outside edge. Would a factory plated barrel come w/forcing cone plated as well?