I have noticed on many S&W pistols that the S&W mark on the side plate is sometimes heavily buffed(No raise around stamping) but most of the time it is raised around the stamped mark. The heavily buffed one are usually not marked as a refinish and the gun is perfect in color and finish as from the factory other than the side plate. If I had seen 1 or 2 of these there would be no question but I have seen so many. what do you think are they refinished or not?
Refinish or Not
- Thread starter seanbetsy
- Start date
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diamonback68
US Veteran
Not. I would suspect it's all a matter of how hard the logo strike was.
Here are some pics of a Model 29 no dash that I once owned as well as a pre 27 that I still own. I'm 100% certain that both guns have their original factory finish.
This is a picture of the logo strike on the model 29. As you can see it's obvious that the logo was buffed before it was blued.
Here is the address strike on the same 29. It doesn't look like it was buffed before bluing.
Now here's a pic of the logo strike on the pre 27. Wasn't buffed at all.
The address strike om that same pre 27. Looks to be lightly buffed before bluing.
I hope this helps,
Randy
This is a picture of the logo strike on the model 29. As you can see it's obvious that the logo was buffed before it was blued.
Here is the address strike on the same 29. It doesn't look like it was buffed before bluing.
Now here's a pic of the logo strike on the pre 27. Wasn't buffed at all.
The address strike om that same pre 27. Looks to be lightly buffed before bluing.
I hope this helps,
Randy
Engine49guy
Member
Just spit balling here but perhaps they didnt pass initial inspection and went back for another round of buffing after the rollmarks were applied?
Interestingly I just picked up a 17-6 that has the rollmarks agressivly buffed down but still has the factory paper number stickers on the frame grip.
If it was reblued Im guessing those would be gone.
Interestingly I just picked up a 17-6 that has the rollmarks agressivly buffed down but still has the factory paper number stickers on the frame grip.
If it was reblued Im guessing those would be gone.
My father-n-law has a 17-1 with the buffed side plate but the gun is correct in every way. Also my friend has a model 15 with the buffed side plate but is also perfect. No marks, stars nothing under the grip that would indicate a factory reblue. It must have happend first time around at the factory.
iskra
Member
Earlier models in nice condition tend toward retaining 'crisp' logo (and often nomenclature) markings decades after manufacture. As seen in one response here, many later guns tend not to have crispness from date of manufacture. Crispness may be a reasonable indicator of original finish on many models, but certainly not on the newer models. Each succeeding decade provides less ability to use such indicators of originality. Better tell-tale factors exist. Perhaps foremost is the very type and quality of finish itself. Secondary factors include uneven or substantial over-buffing. In this, over rounded frame edges, dished screw holes, etc are far better indicators. Another quite good method is of visual side by side comparison with the same model, approximate production period and same apparent style finish. Theoretically an expert refinishing could be impossible (without instruments) to differentiate from original IF the finish method is the same. Quality restoration specialists pride themselves in this matter. My take.
