So far, this is 1 of 2 Chief Specials I've seen. The other being a Model 36. There doesn't seem to be anything on that area of the gun that would indicate why the finish is the way it is. I would guess that the previous owner of this gun didn't really take much care of it. I also noticed the cylinder seems to have a different shade of bluing compared to the frame, and I'm not sure if it's me, or if it's evident in the photos.