Am I going crazy or does this look like a CCH frame on my new (old) 1917 Army?

[S&W_aussie]

HI All,

I have been away with work for a while but I have come back and finally picked up a 1917 that I have been waiting for my permit for.

I got it home today and had a closer look (havent seen it for months) and it looks for all the world like it has faded CCH on the frame. I have attached some pics. The finish is not fantastic and I thought it was just a plumb patina...but it is in patterns and has blue/red/green colours in it as well...as you will see in the pics.

This gun actually came from a regimental museum collection held by the Australian Army. It was in thier collection since WWI. It is number 76827 and is US PROPERTY marked. The frame, and cylinder have matching numbers....everything is correct.

I know the only way to tell is to have it lettered but does anyone know of ORIGINAL 1917s that were CCH?

WHat do you guys think...CCH or staining of some sort?

Cheers

Mike

1917 & Victory


Frame 1


Frame 2

 

[john traveler]

That is not color case hardening, although there is a superficial resemblance. That is the blued finish be wet with water or sweat and being allowed to rust until the bluing was attacked. After cleaning off the rust it looks like that. The untouched blue of course was not wet and rusted.

You will see this a lot with old working guns that have been exposed to weather and then cleaned and oiled. It shows the early stages of finish loss, and if allowed to progress results the brown patina of old, rusted gun steel.

 

[Oyeboteb]

Yes...aged, mottled Blue, as from occasional damp, carry, field use.

Looks like a nice, honest old 1917!