Multiple Barrels

[Springfan]

On one of the on- line auctions there is for bid a nickel M-57 with two barrels, an 8 3/8 an a 4 inch. Did the factory make 2-barrel packages for sale? How would one remove and install the new barrel, punch out the pin and unscrew the original, I suppose, but wouldn't one need some special tools to assure there was no marring or springing?

Thanks

 

[k22fan]

Welcome to the forum springfan,

I noticed that 57 on GB and noted that it's bing sold by a pawn shop so it's unlikely you could verify that the loose barrel was ever installed on the 57. The factory never sold revolvers with two barrels because changing barrels requires gunsmithing tools even if the barrel being installed has been on the same revolver before. It is common for owners to replace their barrel with a different length or weight. Usually the barrels can be switched back again a few times without the barrel that is being reinstalled having to be machined in a lathe but each time they will reseat with less torque than the time before.

There are good threads in the gunsmithing forum that describe how a barrel is installed.

 

[Dpris]

It's not a swap-at-will package, and it's not something you do at home.
With a Dan Wesson, yes; a Smith, no.

Once done, it's usually left done. You decide which barrel you want & leave it there.
The one you're describing probably started out with a length a previous owner didn't like, and the original barrel was replaced. The owner probably just included the original barrel with the gun when he let it go because he had no further reason to hang onto an orphaned barrel.
Denis

 

[dfariswheel]

The problem with these packages is WHICH barrel is the original?
If the barrel has been switched, a big question is was it done the right way with the right tools?

If the barrel has been switched, it's been my experience that the person doing the switching usually didn't have the right tools and didn't really know what he was doing.
Finding things like sprung or cracked frames, mis-fitted barrel/cylinder gap, forcing cones that are either not re-cut and gaged at all or are mis-cut, and barrels glued in the frame are not uncommon.

Seeing a gun with an "extra" barrel should always make you hear alarm bells.