Model 10 with Discolored Trigger?

[js887]

Today I picked up my first S&W revolver, a 1945-1948 Model 10. It didn't dawn on me when I first saw it or bought it, but as I look at it now, I've noticed that the trigger is a weird brown color. Every old S&W revolver I've seen has the nickel colored trigger and hammer. Is mine some weird or rare variant? A custom trigger? Rusted? Or simply discolored? Not knowledgeable about these firearms at all yet but hope to be very soon. The trigger feels normal and smooth to the touch.

Thanks all!

 

[Muley Gil]

Welcome to the Forum.

It looks discolored. Try wiping it with an oily rag. Do not use steel wool or other abrasives. Hammers and triggers came from the factory color case hardened. The nickel-plated hammers and triggers that you have seen were plated outside of the factory.

Look at picture #1 in this post. This is what your hammer & trigger looked like when it was shipped.

Bought me another one of those 32/20s

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello js, and welcome. Yea, I got one and works perfectly.

 

[JP@AK]

Welcome to the S&W Forum, js887.

Gil gave you the straight scoop on the trigger.

Since you are new to the hobby, let me clarify something for you. Your revolver is not a Model 10. It is a postwar .38 Military & Police model. Model numbered guns did not exist until 1958, and some changes were made to the M&P before that time and after your revolver was produced.

Yours will have an S prefix serial number, somewhere between S877000 and about S990000.

 

[JSR III]

The triggers and hammers were case colored as others have stated. Originally they have the appearance of motor oil floating on water. Streaks of blue and tan and sometimes other colors. Over time and exposed to cleaning chemicals, sun light and other outside factors, the case coloring can get "muddy" and turn to a plain brownish color. You will also notice with some S&W's the cylinders can turn from deep blue to a plum color. It is assumed that this occurs due to the cylinders being hardened and taking the bluing treatment differently than other parts of the gun.

IIRC, hammers and triggers can be removed and re case hardened to regain that beautiful blue/tan effect. There are probably a ton of videos on the interweb that will show you how to accomplish this if desired.

Won't make the gun shoot any better but sure looks purdy.....

 

[Pef]

Heck, I kind of like it. Don't see it everyday.

 

[handejector]

I see that the hammer lacks case colors. It could be that someone got overzealous trying to clean some freckles off of both, and removed the case colors. The colors are rather fragile, and they go away easily under steel wool. He MAY have decided the trigger needed some rust protection and cold blued it.

 

[js887]

Big thank you to everyone who replied! I love learning about firearms, especially new acquisitions for me and I appreciate all the knowledge. Looks like the issue was indeed fixable via cleaning...everything looks like I was expecting it to now.