Bluing Shade

[jimmyj]

Hi:
A friend has a Model 10 "C" series number.
The revolver has been in his family for years.
As I was looking at it it appeared (to me) to have two different shades of bluing? All letters/numbers were deep and sharp. Revolver appeared to be very nice condition.
Is this condition normal?
Jimmy

 

[Scary Gary]

I'm no expert but I have several S&W's that have different shades between barrel frame and cylinder.

 

[Sixgun Southpaw]

I had a defective barrel replaced at the factory and the new one is a couple shades darker. Hard to tell except in sunlight. It doesn't bother me at all.

 

[dant]

different parts ,because of their alloys or heat treat ,can and will show different shades of "dark" (blue)...often it just may even be the amount of prep ( polish) to the finished parts..................and as said above, it just may be the "parts" were replaced at one time or another.......

 

[Steave]

Not an exact answer to your question, but I have a 29-3 that I purchased new around 1986 or so. The barrel was a lighter shade of blue, with an almost purple tint to it.

 

[fyimo]

There have been several threads in the past up here talking about purple or plum color looking revolver parts and I have a 14-4 that the cylinder looks plum colored in the right light.

 

[firearmsunlimited]

Hi:
A friend has a Model 10 "C" series number.
The revolver has been in his family for years.
As I was looking at it it appeared (to me) to have two different shades of bluing? All letters/numbers were deep and sharp. Revolver appeared to be very nice condition.
Is this condition normal?
Jimmy

Until sometime in 1958 all parts for a given gun were blued together. Thereafter, barrels, cylinders and frames were blued in batches. It isn't uncommon to see a sight variation in the bluing tone, however, you should inspect the piece for rework marks.