Why do some of these same model guns appear to have normal parts while others appear case hardened?

[Aim1]

These are all Smith and Wesson 629 Mountain Guns in .44 mag. Some appear to have case hardened triggers and hammers while some do not. There maybe a few decade separation in their manufacture which may explain it. 2 are NIB so it shouldn't be from cleaning. I do not believe the parts are case hardened but how can it be from use if they are NIB?

Not sure how 20-30 years of sitting in a case or being handled without being fired would cause this discoloration.

The gun on the top right appears to have no discoloration while the bottom right appears to be starting to get discoloration and the two left side guns appear to have full discoloration and look like they are case hardened.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

I think you're looking at MIM parts (dark) vs. forged.

Todd.

 

[bearman49709]

They changed from flash chromed to case harden, but I don't remember what year.

 

[Aim1]

They changed from flash chromed to case harden, but I don't remember what year.

Interesting.


Which one is better? I'm assuming they went the cheaper route.

 

[If1HitU]

That is interesting.

 

[mnrivrat]

S&W parts of that nature can change over time as well as over different gun finishes. No discoloring involved, just differently finished parts.

 

[LoneGoose]

Smith & Wesson make modifications to a model over time, and that's where the dash number comes in. When you open the cylinder, you can find the model number stamped on the inside part of the frame under the crane. It might say MOD 629, or a later iteration will have a dash number after the model number (MOD 629-2). The changes range from different sights , hammer & trigger, etc. I think it was on the S&W website where I found the lists for the dash numbers. Maybe a Google search will find other sources.

 

[Aim1]

Smith & Wesson make modifications to a model over time, and that's where the dash number comes in. When you open the cylinder, you can find the model number stamped on the inside part of the frame under the crane. It might say MOD 629, or a later iteration will have a dash number after the model number (MOD 629-2). The changes range from different sights , hammer & trigger, etc. I think it was on the S&W website where I found the lists for the dash numbers. Maybe a Google search will find other sources.

Model Start Year Barrel Lengths Modifications

629 1979
629-1 1982 dropped recessed cylinders and pinned barrels
629-2 1988 changed yoke retention, radius studs, floating hand
629-3 1989 hardened yoke and frame, longer stop notch, bolt block, fixed hand
629-4 1993 changed rear sight leaf and extractor
629-5 1997 Eliminate cylinder stop stud and serrated tang, MIM trigger and hammer, floating firing pin
629-6 2001 Internal lock added
629-7 2005 Two piece barrel
629-8 2006 Slab sided barrel



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_&_Wesson_Model_29

 

[94045]

Older triggers and hammers are case hardened. It was an S&W Trademark. Newer ones are MIM. Stainless guns had flash chromed hammers and triggers, then CCH and now MIM.

 

[Aim1]

Older triggers and hammers are case hardened. It was an S&W Trademark. Newer ones are MIM. Stainless guns had flash chromed hammers and triggers, then CCH and now MIM.

This is mine, case hardened? Manufactured in 1999.

Better or worse than MIM?

 

[94045]

This is mine, case hardened? Manufactured in 1999.

Better or worse than MIM?


View attachment 886455

The Flash Chromed and CCH are the same core part. Stainless Steel Parts were hard to machine and flash chrome had higher corrosion resistance and matched the surface finish better. Eventually they returned to using the same parts as the blued guns. I have no real preference and MIM if the parts are good isn't a problem. The problem is it's hard to identify flawed parts so bad MIM parts make it through quality control at a higher rate.

 

[tipoc]

These are all Smith and Wesson 629 Mountain Guns in .44 mag. Some appear to have case hardened triggers and hammers while some do not. There maybe a few decade separation in their manufacture which may explain it. 2 are NIB so it shouldn't be from cleaning. I do not believe the parts are case hardened but how can it be from use if they are NIB?

Not sure how 20-30 years of sitting in a case or being handled without being fired would cause this discoloration.

The gun on the top right appears to have no discoloration while the bottom right appears to be starting to get discoloration and the two left side guns appear to have full discoloration and look like they are case hardened.

View attachment 885971

Color Case Hardening is a deliberate process that goes back centuries. Originally there was bone charcoal hardening color case. This is where charcoal and literally animal bone were added to the metal while hardening the steel. The result was a beautiful multicolored protective finish a few thousandths deep. In more recent years the process is done chemically. It is not discoloration or the result of handling. S&W used this method (charcoal bone hardening) on hammers and triggers for decades.

https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/restoration-services/color-case-hardening/

With the advent of stainless steel guns they have done it at various times and occasionally for special runs or on distributor guns.