Backpacker33
Member
I recently purchased a S&W 686 with a serial number showing it was made in 1988, "one of 1559."
It has a "blue" finish. When I saw it, I questioned the model number but the frame is clearly stamped "686-3." I looked it up in the Supica / Nahas "3rd Edition Catalog," which called the finish "black stainless steel." It looks like a flat or matte blue finish. The seller thought it was blue carbon steel.
I've not heard of that before and can't find any information about it.
Is it an applied finish, like paint?
Is it something mixed into or alloyed with the steel?
Is it a treatment of the surface, the way blueing is to carbon steel?
The revolver is in excellent condition - somebody's pet. No holster wear, only slight ring around the cylinder, apparently original grips of beautiful wood.
Can anyone enlighten me about the finish?
Also, it is a "six-shooter." A number of 686s are 7-shooters and I wonder if this one can be economically converted, especially with a "black stainless" cylinder. If anyone has done this, please let me know. I'll contact S&W for a price.
-Backpacker
It has a "blue" finish. When I saw it, I questioned the model number but the frame is clearly stamped "686-3." I looked it up in the Supica / Nahas "3rd Edition Catalog," which called the finish "black stainless steel." It looks like a flat or matte blue finish. The seller thought it was blue carbon steel.
I've not heard of that before and can't find any information about it.
Is it an applied finish, like paint?
Is it something mixed into or alloyed with the steel?
Is it a treatment of the surface, the way blueing is to carbon steel?
The revolver is in excellent condition - somebody's pet. No holster wear, only slight ring around the cylinder, apparently original grips of beautiful wood.
Can anyone enlighten me about the finish?
Also, it is a "six-shooter." A number of 686s are 7-shooters and I wonder if this one can be economically converted, especially with a "black stainless" cylinder. If anyone has done this, please let me know. I'll contact S&W for a price.
-Backpacker
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