For what it's worth, the only stainless steel gun I have here at the cabin, actually the only SS steel gun I own, attracts a magnet like, well, a magnet. Just did the scientific test. Also, I vote for Armaloy or similar. Have a great day!
help identify a stainless model 36
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Thomas James
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IT may be a 36 blued gun someone polished, I 've seen it..Try some cold blue on the gun in a inconspicuous spot, G96 works good, see if the bluing takes, if it does it's carbon steel someone polished, you can easily polish off the blue...
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OK - I stand corrected regarding Magnetic Attraction to Stainless Guns. I did try it and yes, a magnet is attracted to my Stainless guns. I guess I had been thinking of the Refrigerator doors. Sorry for the wrong advise. 
Easy answer... a stainless J frame is a model 60, 60's do not have J serial numbers and the finish certainly appears to be a hard chrome version like SS Metalife or similar. The magnet test is not correct. Nothing wrong with it and certainly serviceable but don't pay for a unicorn cause it is not one...
Gripgrabber
US Veteran
Hay, if anyone was wondering, my 36-0 was hard chromed at least 30 years ago! APW did it back in the day.
Semper paratus
Semper paratus
JDBoardman
US Veteran
Stainless Steel and Magnets
"Interesting fact all steels become austenitic and will not attract a magnet at around 1480f as the carbon content starts to go into solution"
True enough, and the temperature at which carbon steel no longer attracts a magnet is called the "Curie Point". Additionally, nickel is ferromagnetic, although only about 20 percent that of carbon steel. A good bar bet is to state that nickel is magnetic; most will argue with you since their experience is with the U.S. 5-cent coin, wich is not nickel. A Canadian 5-cent coin, which IS nickel, will be attracted by a magnet.
"Interesting fact all steels become austenitic and will not attract a magnet at around 1480f as the carbon content starts to go into solution"
True enough, and the temperature at which carbon steel no longer attracts a magnet is called the "Curie Point". Additionally, nickel is ferromagnetic, although only about 20 percent that of carbon steel. A good bar bet is to state that nickel is magnetic; most will argue with you since their experience is with the U.S. 5-cent coin, wich is not nickel. A Canadian 5-cent coin, which IS nickel, will be attracted by a magnet.
scooter123
Member
Stainless Steels commonly used for firearms are typically either 416 or 436 Stainless, Ferritic Stainless steels and are FULLY MAGNETIC. BTW, type 416 can be hardened with the exact same procedure as 4140 and when heat treated have such closely matching mechanical properties that some call 416 the Stainless 4140.
flagman1776
Member
Yes, thank you, Metalife is the other finish I couldn't remember earlier.
OLDSTER
Member
Whatever it is, and however it got that way, you certainly do have an interesting "Model 36" . It'll be interesting to watch the thread to see if someone can solve the riddle. 
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JcMack
Member
I saw the 36 in question that the OP started the thread about. It was a 36 that was impossible to differentiate from stainless. My guess would be matte chrome or nickle. Probably refinished to cover wear, improve rust resistance, or just personal preference. It was priced at $375 with no bargaining. It was scratched a bit and since I believe bit to be non-stainless, hard to repair the finish. Maybe a bargain as a reliable carry gun, but not for me.
kennethb24
Member
Maybe nickel. I have a 38 nickel that looks like Stainless
This is a 19-4 with a Metaloy (industrial hard chrome) finish. Quite a few thought it was stainless..
daddio202
Member
I wish I had a dollar for every time somebody comes to this forum with a model 19 or model 3t6 that is supposedly stainless steal. Smith and Wesson does make revolvers in stainless but the model number will start with a 6. If they made a stainless gun it would make no sense whatsoever to mark it as model number that they make in carbon steel. It would not be a mistake they would make. A stainless gun would never be mismarked and then go through countless more steps to completion with every department not recognizing the mistake. It just doesn't happen. Many finishes on the other hand have been created to appear as a stainless gun. The look is sought after by many hence the reason it is so well duplicated.
sigp220.45
US Veteran
My battered old Model 36 - I got tired of the rust and had it NP3 finished. Most folks think it is a Model 60.
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