Dating gun barrel with hardness tester? Possible?

[larry55]

Can someone tell me if it is possible to date one firearm barrel from another one of the same type by using a hardness tester? Blueprints and manufacturing info would be available.
Has anyone heard of dating metal by using a hardness tester such as a Rockwell?
Any thoughts?
Your help will be deeply appreciated.
Thank-you,
Larry

[Gordon]

Hi Larry

to the Surface Engineering Forum.

I think it will not be possible to date by hardness testing alone. It is certainly not like carbon dating or counting tree rings.

Changes in the products material or processing history that effected hardness, I suppose could be used to indicate the period of manufacture. Though, an identifiable difference in hardness between various periods in time would need to be known. Hardness should be fairly stable with time, unless some post modification/heating has occurred.

[larry55]

Thanks Gordon,
I sincerely appreciate the very informative reply. I don't believe that identifiable difference in hardness between various periods in time are known in this case.
I don't believe we have enough info to differentiate one barrel batch from another.
No tree rings to count either, hehe.

You give some great food for thought... thanks again!
-Larry55