Steel frame M39 acquisitions

[cougar015]

Was just thinking about the backstraps,
For those that don't own a Model 52 those also have steel frames, the two I have owned had a steel backstrap instead of the aluminum version used on the 39 series and while both had a tab cast where the lanyard loop is the factory did not open that tab so it's solid and can't be used.
My bet is since these leftover frames were steel and being refinished in nickel somebody realized it was wiser to nickel a steel backstrap since weight didn't matter.
Just a guess.

The backstrap on my steel nickel is also cast for a lanyard loop but not open (solid) for one. I agree with your supposition and I always suspected that when the gun went back to be nickeled, they replaced the aluminum backstrap with a steel one from a M52. It's interesting that Trey's gun retained the aluminum BS.