Stainless Steel Model 340 series E in .222 Remington, looking for info.

[HerbGrundy]

We have a model 340 series E in .222 Remington, with the gun being stainless steel. The serial number is E 431XXX. We have looked in two different gun values resource manuals and cannot find any information about this weapon being stainless steel. The bottom metal and magazine are also both stainless steel along with the sling swivel studs. Has anyone seen this model in stainless steel? Anyone have an idea of the manufacture date?

Thanks for any help!
Herb Grundy

[rovert]

Are you certain it hasn't been stripped of its finish and left in the white?

[J.Baker]

No such thing as a stainless steel 340. What you have is a chrome-moly 340 that all the finish has worn off of or been removed. Not uncommon, I see one or two like that at almost every gun show I go to around here. Maybe it's an Amish bling thing as they're usually the ones carrying them around wanting 3x what they're worth.

[HerbGrundy]

Thanks for the info! I kept looking at this gun and started to speculate that someone completely stripped the bluing off and then buffed it out. Whoever did it, sure did do a thorough job. Darn metal looks very nice. Well, it is a keeper for the owner and he has no intention of selling it. Again, thanks!

Herb Grundy

[J.Baker]

It wasn't nickel plated was it? Aged nickel will have a slight yellowish hue to it.

[Chad4372]

Amish bling thing. Now that's funny stuff.

chad