Checkering on Top Strap and Barrel Rib of Registered Magnum and Model 27?

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I have not stopped by for a while.

Taking part in a discussion on another forum. The question was, how was the checkering on the top strap and barrel rib of the Registered Magnum, and later versions, such as the Model 27 done?

My answer was it was probably done with a hardened roller, but I am getting a lot of push back on that. A lot of folks are telling me the checkering was probably cut, not pressed into place.

I don't have my Model 27 in front of me right now, but I seem to recall the checkering is relatively deep, perhaps too deep to have been pressed in with a hardened roller.

Does anybody know how this was done? I assume it was not done by hand with checkering files, but probably more likely S&W set up some sort of machinery to cut the checkering.

Thanks for any input you might have.

 

[Truckman]

If others here don't have the answer, Roy may be able to fill in details in the SWCA section......Ben

 

[cgt4570]

I'm just an advanced hack and avid collector, but I have a few different fine LPI (lines per inch) Swiss checkering files for new projects or touch-ups. The early ones were probably done by hand. The later ones most likely by machine. It's obvious they're cut and not pressed.
The very early target hand ejectors had checkered/knurled triggers (I have a 7.5"TL and a couple M&P's with this rare feature). I assume they made a special convex checkering file to match the trigger radius.
While I haven't done it, there's a jig for checkering semi-auto grip frames with checkering files.