Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold?

depicts · May 27, 2010

Or were they some alloy that looked like gold? With Gold prices being so high these days I wonder how much gold is in my old stocks.

How about early Silver medallions? Were they Sterling, or like the later plated and plastic, not real silver?

Alk8944 · May 27, 2010

Actually, Brass. That's why they tarnish.

44wheelman · May 28, 2010

allthough some people price 'em like they were made of gold

dinghysailer · May 28, 2010

I have two S&Ws with "gold" medallions that came down in the family, that show no appreciable tarnish. I'm sure that no one has polished them in at least 40 years, and they have lived in un-airconditioned houses since they were new. One was very lightly used, the other has seen a lot, based on holster & other wear. I suspect that either they were lacquered, or very lightly gold plated (I think the term is gold washed), to protect from corrosion. Either is possible, and the recessed design would protect that finish except at the rim where wear would tend to keep it clean.

Any body know what they did do?

Thanks

Allan

Kelly Green · May 28, 2010

Speaking of medallions, I have a pre 34 22/32 from 1953 with the original wood grips. The grips are in dire need of refinishing. To do this, I would like to remove the medallions as to not damage them. Question; how do I safely remove the medallions?

ditrina · May 28, 2010

Kelly Green said:
Speaking of medallions, I have a pre 34 22/32 from 1953 with the original wood grips. The grips are in dire need of refinishing. To do this, I would like to remove the medallions as to not damage them. Question; how do I safely remove the medallions?

You might want to just have either forum members, DWFAN, or VM refinish the grips.. both are beyond excellent and highly recommended for refinishing grips..

Good Luck

Keith Brown · May 28, 2010

Some of the early dished medallions were gold plated but I do not think that they all were. The medallion itself was thankfully made out of brass or we never would be able to find a set.

Keith

handejector · May 30, 2010

I think the gold meds were gold washed. It seems to just go away with use and time.

The silver meds are chrome plated brass.

Texas Star · May 30, 2010

handejector said:
I think the gold meds were gold washed. It seems to just go away with use and time.

The silver meds are chrome plated brass.

Thanks. I'd always wondered.

T-Star

rburg · May 30, 2010

Nothing is ever simple with S&W. Its never easy with collectors. It gets worse over time when things become scarce and the needy (or just those who want) enter the picture.

Yes, there are gold medallions. I've seen them with my own eyes. And they were aftermarket, produced around the year 2000.

Yes, there are sterling silver medallions. Produced in the same time frame as the gold ones, and from the same dies.

Yes, I own a couple of pairs of those. They're large format, like prewar Ns.

We had a debate a few years back and Smithnut came up with the tidbit that the extra shiney prewar small medallions were nickel plated. At the time he apparently had a source we all believed (and still do.)

I've never seen a plastic medallion, but I do have it on good authority they exist.

GLL · May 30, 2010

rburg said:
Yes, there are sterling silver medallions. Produced in the same time frame as the gold ones, and from the same dies. Yes, I own a couple of pairs of those. They're large format, like prewar Ns.

Jerry

Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold?

depicts

US Veteran

Alk8944

US Veteran

44wheelman

Member

dinghysailer

Member

Kelly Green

Member

ditrina

US Veteran

Keith Brown

Vendor

handejector

Texas Star

US Veteran

rburg

Member

GLL

Similar threads

Latest posts