[vytautus]

Case hardening presents a complete different set of problems than forged steel. Since it is clear you like Smith and Wessons; as do I. here is an example. If you have any, or examine small frame top breaks .38 or .32 you will notice many of them are missing hammer notches. The problem they had was the delicate machining on the small parts, and the case hardening of them. The hammer notches and sear surfaces, do not wear on these guns, they generally shatter because there is not enough metal to just harden the outside surface. The hardening process goes all the way through the metal and makes it brittle.

 

[saintclair]

vytautus, Exactly !! Great explanation. The hardened surface is great for wear resistance, but it makes the thin parts quite brittle. Also, if one 'stones' the surface of a case hardened hammer or trigger, they lose that wear resistance. Case hardening is like 'Beauty.' It is only skin deep.

 

[BobWright]

All of this brings to mind the shooters who followed the Fast Draw craze of the late 'Fifties. These shooters had the cylinders of their revolvers case hardened to minimize the elongation and burring of the cylinder locking slots on their guns as the locking bolt slammed into the slots.

These shooters were cautioned never to use live ammunition in such cylinders due to the possibility of the cylinder giving way from the pressure.

Bob Wright