early S&W model 12 refinishing

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Sydney Fox

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hello, I recently bought a early S&W model 12 that needs to be refinishing, I called S&W and thety told me the if the pistol was made before 1960 they would not refinish the revolver , so much for backing a product , I am hoping someone here has had there S&W aluminum frame S&W anodized [ I think that s the correct term ], please advise
 
Most companies have limited warrantees. The finish is never covered by anybody's warrantee.
The Model 12 hasn't been made since 1986. Apparently some early models had an Al cylinder too.
Re-anodising is possible. You can do it yourself, if you have the place, time, tools and inclination to do it. Caswell Plating will sell you a kit for almost reasonable money. http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/index.html
And anodising can be done in just about any colour you like. Doesn't have to be sliver or black.
Otherwise you need to find a metal finishing shop in the Yellow Pages, remove all the springs(Smith revolvers require 1, $20ish, special tool) and send only the parts you want done. Metal finishing shops do not do the disassembly. If you need that you need a smithy. Who probably has a finishing shop he uses too.
 
All steel parts will have to be removed before the frame and side plate can be re-anodized. You will need to find someone qualified and equipped to do it correctly as the frame can be warped or broken very easily. The frames sometimes crack in use under the forcing cone area because it is so thin there. Honking on the receiver with the correct tooling can result in disaster and trying it without the correct tools guarantees it.

Your gun was originally done in Type 2 anodizing. Most guns are now done in Type 3 which is far more durable, but not nearly as pretty as Type 2. US Anodizing does both.

http://www.usanodizing.com/

Be aware that there are risks associated with the process and once in a while a part gets ruined. I have no insight into any companies policies or warrantee in that situation.
 
Sounds like a risky business. Probably expensive, too.
This would be one of the few applications I would consider a paint-like coating for a good revolver.
 
A customer of ours had a Smith and Wesson 669 he wanted redone. I did all of the stainless steel work, and him and I decided on Cerakote for the frame. It doesn't match the look or feel of the original anodizing, but it was much easier and cheaper, and will last forever.

Graphite black Cerakote might be just the ticket for your Model 12.
 
It has nothing to do with the warranty, they're not going to refin anything before 1960 so someone won't pass it off as a pristine original finish. I had them finish a model 10 for me, cost a couple hundered and turned out fantastic.

p16790732-5.jpg

p1249019510-5.jpg
 
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It has nothing to do with the warranty, they're not going to refin anything before 1960 so someone won't pass it off as a pristine original finish. I had them finish a model 10 for me, cost a couple hindered and turned out fantastic.

p16790732-5.jpg

p1249019510-5.jpg

Beautiful gun! Now you have a like new gun that's better than the new Smiths they make today.
 
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