K22 cylinder replaced?

[kewpie]

Was thinking of selling my 1968 17-2.

Bought a year ago from seller who IIRC, said cylinder was either 'timed' or replaced by S&W. I only shot 30-40 rounds thru it and shoots perfectly, but I am wondering if the cylinder should be marked or another area on the gun should be marked re: cylinder change? Lock up, timing etc are perfect but cylinder is a hair less "bright blue" than the barrel and frame which have a near-27 bluing.

Box it came to me in was the modern plastic S&W box with a S&W white label on each end referencing the gun's model and serial #.

Gun is in great shape but if i sell it i don't want to misinform potential buyers.

Thanks for any help.

 

[Doc44]

Markings depend on when the work was done. If mid-70s or later, there are probably no markings on the gun. Look at the underside of the extractor, if it is serial numbered to the revolver, the cylinder is probably original as a new cylinder would require a new extractor.

There could be a date stamp on the grip frame (for example, 2 70 would indicate repairs/replacements done in February 1970). An R-B stamp on the grip frame would indicate the revolver was submitted for repairs by S&W's Customer Service Dept as it would have been shipped there.

Bill

 

[M29since14]

Gun is in great shape but if i sell it i don't want to misinform potential buyers.
Thanks for any help.

Since the gun is not a collector's piece, and since you have no personal knowledge of what may or may not have happened to it, I would just sell it as-is and not be too concerned. It is great to be upfront on this type of thing but without knowing the details, all you can provide a potential buyer is speculation.

It is not uncommon so see some difference in color of blueing between parts on guns as the get some age, and reasonable buyers of shooter-grade revolvers usually aren't too concerned about that, unless it is just plain unsightly.

 

[kewpie]

Thanks very much guys

The difference is not that noticeable to anyone who is not a detail-a-holic like myself. It's just that the cylinder looks less 'royal blue.'

Looking the entire gun over with a jeweler's loupe (yes, I am a little 'off' I can see all kinds of 'imperfections' that are unseeable when handling the gun in normal fashion.

It's probably 97-98% overall and lookng at the cylinder in high magnification, it looks like the 'wear marks' from the bolt are obviously normal for a well-taken care gun of this vintage.

(And after fondling it, I thought against selling it too!)

Again, many thanks. I realize I contribute little to this forum yet I hope my gratitude for the wealth of information herein can make up a little for my lack of knowledge.

Stay safe, all.