S&W 442 or 642 Stumper Question

[Joey]

After checking into some carry ammo for a 442 and posting the below picture it was mentioned that 442's were black & not like this 442.

Then looking round on S&W's page the 642 looks exactly like my 442 pictured below.

When I open the cylinder and crane is has the serial number and underneath the serial number it just says MOD.442

The serial number starts with BRE and then 4 digits.

When did they switch finishes on the 442's, or do I have some kind of frankengun :shocked:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e184/Rampy556/IMG_2083.jpg

[josp]

Yours has a nickle finish. I haven't seen alot of those around.

[watsoncb]

My 442 has a black the frame. The barrell has .38 SPL. +P on one side and Smith & Wesson on the other. The frame has the serial number and below it is: 442-2.

[akbound]

Hi josp,

I've seen nickeled finished guns before, but I'll be danged if that picture doesn't look like the two-toned finish of the aluminum frame and stainless steel cylinder/barrel. How can you tell from that picture that the gun in the photo is nickel instead of SS and brushed aluminum alloy?

Dave

[Newgun]

According to The Standard Catalog 0f S&W, the 442 was introduced in 1993 and was available in matte blue or satin nickle finish. Satin nickle was discontinued in 1997. Your 442 was most likely born in June or July of 1994. Great book, first time I got to "use" it. Those guys on the S&W forum are faster to the post then I am.

[watsoncb]

I believe that if you polish a stainless frame with a metal polish like "Semi-Chrome" you can change the look of the frame from stainless to look like a nickle finish.

That might be what we are looking at.

I once had a Lt. that hated nickle finished firearms relating them to being "pimp guns". After our shift failed firearms inspection one month, a bunch of us used a dremmel tool and semi-chrome to polish our stainless steel S&W Model 66 (.357). The result made all of the firearms look like they had a nickle finish. We were ready for re-inspection and passed.... but not without a bunch of yelling. The look was "priceless".

[josp]

AKbound,

Cause I have one, and thats what it looks like. It also looks different than my newer stainless 642.