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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 05-27-2010, 10:53 PM
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Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold?  
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Default Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold?

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?
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Old 05-27-2010, 11:50 PM
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Actually, Brass. That's why they tarnish.
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Old 05-28-2010, 12:45 AM
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allthough some people price 'em like they were made of gold
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Old 05-28-2010, 08:22 PM
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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
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Old 05-28-2010, 09:11 PM
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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?
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Old 05-28-2010, 09:48 PM
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Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold? Were Gold Medallions made from real Gold?  
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Originally Posted by Kelly Green View Post
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
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Old 05-28-2010, 11:08 PM
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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
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Old 05-30-2010, 08:57 AM
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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.
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Old 05-30-2010, 07:36 PM
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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
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Old 05-30-2010, 07:44 PM
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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.
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Old 05-30-2010, 09:05 PM
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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.



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