Why did Colt cease to case harden the hammers?

[River Jordan]

Any ideas?

[Major 2]

cost.... and figured an angle so they could charge more as an option ...

[St. George]

Metallurgy got better and what was basically wrought iron needing surface hardening changed over to steel.

Cost also was a cost factor, because small parts can warp more readily - needing replacement - causing a greater cost-per-unit that customers wouldn't pay for and Colt didn't want to absorb on an already thin profit margin.

Scouts Out!

[Montana Slim]

Funny.....I chided the Colt guys on the plain-Jane hammers when I was out there in '03.
Obviously my comment had little weight.
I remember that visit because I helped the custom shop engraver (George?) to glue & assemble the grip spacers (ivory grips)....on two special SAA (a pair for GW Bush). Funny, I never got invited for the test firing..maybe I should have kept my mouth shut about the hammers.

Slim