Bought this a number of years ago, one range trip, and just put it in the safe. 9/46 Transitional OD? Barrel doesn't have the S. Cockeyed hammer.
What else? TIA
What else? TIA
Is this a rebarrel?
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Here's your Outdoorman's doppelganger, this one S 70828. I think you are right. The serif font does not look right to me. FYI mine shipped in the first month of startup after WW2, August 1946. I would not be concerned about the rib not lining up perfectly, I've seen a lot of them from the factory that were not perfect. That is rust in the line where the ramp connects to the barrel, pretty common.
Is it me or is that a heavy than usual barrel?
Is it me or is that a heavy than usual barrel?
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Amy other opinions on this? I'm surprised so few inputs.
My guess is it is a rebarrel. The "blend" between the barrel and the frame does not look right to me. (For what my opinion might be worth to you.)
Any rework marks on the gripframe?
No diamond on the barrel that indicates a factory replacement??? Check the left side of the butt-frame? Barrel pin show no signs of being removed and replaced. Barrel finish looks the same as the cylinder.
I'm voting for original, unless there are rework stamps on the butt. Even then I'd expect a <> on the barrel if it had been replaced by the factory. Pretty early SN so thought it might have one of the rare checkered rib pre-war 357 barrels but can see the standard grooved rib in one of the pictures. Looks like a nice one to me.
OP
I'll get some pics up.
That's a nice transitional OD! The only thing that would make me think it might be a re-barrel is the "corrosion" where the front sight ramp meets the barrel rib. I've only seen this condition on later (early 1950s) N-frame revolvers like my first year Highway Patrolman. It's been blamed on the bluing salts that S&W used at the time. It could be that those same bluing salts were used in the late 1940s. Your revolver has some interesting things...like the hole drilled in the hammer (for lightening?). I also see something going on in the cylinder holes that almost looks like cracking or peeling and doesn't look like leading. I've never seen that before. Regardless, it's a fine revolver. Enjoy!
That hole in the hammer is a bit odd. As for the cylinder/chambers, I think it just needs a good scrubbing.
The hole is there to lighten the hammer and decrease locktime.
It's a re-barrel with a later vintage (1950's) barrel. The best clue is that it has the barrel headed ejector rod and from the pictures, there is no cut out in the lug for the barrel head. Please see the picture in post number 2. That lug has the cut out.
Also the barrel did not receive its final contouring. The sharp ring at the rear of the barrel where the taper begins has not received its final contouring. A number of years ago, S&W did a giant parts sell-off and released a bunch of Outdoorsman barrels that were not finished. They had this sharp ring or transition. I would speculate that this is one of those barrels that was polished, blued and installed. It could be factory after the Outdoorsman went out of production using one of the unfinished barrels. I would lean towards factory because of the sight base corrosion.
By the way, S&W used hot carbona blueing when this gun was made (and up into the '70's) not blueing salts. That process involved packing the parts in bone charcoal and placing them in ovens. It also involved cyanide. One theory for the corrosion is that the surfaces of the sight base and the barrel were not cleaned properly to remove contaminants from machining. When the parts were heated the contaminants prevented the blueing from forming.
Also the barrel did not receive its final contouring. The sharp ring at the rear of the barrel where the taper begins has not received its final contouring. A number of years ago, S&W did a giant parts sell-off and released a bunch of Outdoorsman barrels that were not finished. They had this sharp ring or transition. I would speculate that this is one of those barrels that was polished, blued and installed. It could be factory after the Outdoorsman went out of production using one of the unfinished barrels. I would lean towards factory because of the sight base corrosion.
By the way, S&W used hot carbona blueing when this gun was made (and up into the '70's) not blueing salts. That process involved packing the parts in bone charcoal and placing them in ovens. It also involved cyanide. One theory for the corrosion is that the surfaces of the sight base and the barrel were not cleaned properly to remove contaminants from machining. When the parts were heated the contaminants prevented the blueing from forming.
OP
More pics, thanks all.
OP
Jerry in SC
Member
I have a question, was it common for a gunsmith to number the barrel when replacing it?
