Curious about nickel plating

[Point 357]

Hi guys,
I have a model 19-3 2.5" s/n 3K500XX (1972 ish) that has a simply spectacular finish except for one small flaw. In the deepest recesses of the roll markings on the left side of the barrel you can clearly see the copper underplate although it is not very evident in pictures:



My model 29-2 (1980 ish) shows no imperfection in this area:



It has the N stamped on left side frame and rear of the cylinder. Another curious note is that the N seems to be double stamped:



I don't think it has been refinished, at the very least not by the factory.
Input?

 

[Alk8944]

S&W has NEVER applied a Copper "Under-Strike" to Nickel plated guns, that is schlock work commonly used for cheap products and car bumpers. I don't know what you are seeing, I can't see anything in the photo, but it absolutely is not Copper. S&W "Hard Plates", applies the decorative plating directly to the base metal. If you want a higher authority then ask Roy Jinks!

The double-struck N is not uncommon.

 

[g8rb8]

I cannot see it in the pictures. You said left side but showed the right side. Hopefully someone with more experience will come along and let you know if it's possible to "touch up" the deep recesses of the roll mark. It looks excellent in the pictures so I would probably not worry about it.

 

[Flint Ridge]

You can always click on the picture to make it bigger. Seems like there is more on the right side than the left side of the lettering?

Odd thought, I've seen folks add the "gold" in lettering of blued guns. Any chance that is it?

On the "N", I say we make up a GunBroker story about, "The Stuttering N" and put a $5,000 buy it now price on it.

 

[Point 357]

Thanks guys! Between Alk8944 and Flint Ridge this lil' mystery has been solved.
After reading the responses I used a sharpened round wooden toothpick to gently scrape in the recesses and low-and-behold...
Someone in the past did in fact highlight the roll mark. It easily came away to reveal a factory fresh finish.

I love this place!

 

[mojave30cal]

Well, poke me in the eye and call me blinky!

 

[peterdeb]

Shazam!, G-o-l-l-y, Sur-prise, sur-prise, sur-prise!

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

How about a picture of the rest of the Guns as a prize?

 

[catach22]

S&W has NEVER applied a Copper "Under-Strike" to Nickel plated guns, that is schlock work commonly used for cheap products and car bumpers. I don't know what you are seeing, I can't see anything in the photo, but it absolutely is not Copper. S&W "Hard Plates", applies the decorative plating directly to the base metal. If you want a higher authority then ask Roy Jinks!

The double-struck N is not uncommon.

I agree it would be highly unusual to use a copper strike coat for nickle finish coat. I have much experience in metal coatings and electro plating. nickel is almost always used on a steal base with no strike coat. most likely the gun has been replated. On the bright side a good finisher can fix your problem with a process commonly called flash or sponge plating

 

[Flint Ridge]

Well Point 357, it's nice the mystery is solved. Let the "Official Record", indicate I got it right. Like the magician waking up out of a coma and saying, "...Tada!"

That is one fine 19... Sleep easy knowing you have that Masterpiece tucked away.

 

[Point 357]

On the "N", I say we make up a GunBroker story about, "The Stuttering N" and put a $5,000 buy it now price on it.

Don't tempt me! The way S&W pre lock revolvers are trending I'm sure there's someone out there who would quickly snap up a rare and beautiful "stuttering N" model 19!

 

[Point 357]

How about a picture of the rest of the Guns as a prize?

Hey, why not?!



I have not yet applied any polish or wax to the big gun.