What do you call, or maybe "rate" would be a better word, a nickel plated gun that has all of it's original finish but shows the scratches and rub marks of normal use (holster and handling wear)? The hammer and trigger still show all of their case color and the gun is mechanically solid. In this case it happens to be a pre-M20 38/44 HD, 4" barrel.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

That's a tough call without seeing the gun to determine how bad or deep the scratches are and also to see if there is any "milky" color to the nickel. If it is all minor, I would give it a 97-98%.

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Dick
S&WCA #2292

I agree. Nickel will clean up somewhat using one of the many polishes that are available. Personally, I think that scratches in nickel are easier to deal with than ones in a blue gun.

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James Redfield
LM #497

The light scratches can probably be removed with some good metal polish like Flitz or Maas...that would help.

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Curtis M Brier #2217

Could some one explain the "milky" or cloudy spots on nickel.I have some on a Model 19 and they won't polish out so I did not get aggressive

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Fe Feo Fuerte

Here's some pictures of the gun that prompted my starting this thread:





The spot on the left side of the muzzle and on the right lower corner of the ejector rod housing are the only places where nickel is missing. Otherwise the finish is just scratched by use, shown best in the bottom picture.

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Like Curtis suggested, try Flitz and see what it looks like then. I don't like old rust buckets, but a decent looking gun with honest wear and tear is always welcome in my collection. I have several with names, initials or SS numbers etched into them and merely accept it as part of that particular guns history.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Frankly you gun looks pretty good. If it has the "cloudy" or "milky" look, you will probably never be able to buff that out, it's in the nickel. I would stop before you go through the nickel and into the copper undercoat. Love it like it is.

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Dick
S&WCA #2292

Flitz will take most of those out...it takes time and patience. I have a nickel pre-15 that had a lot of those fine scratches in it. About once a week or so I get the polish out and work on it. It is 100% better now.

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Curtis M Brier #2217

I appreciate the suggestions on how to clean it up, but in point of fact I kind of like the way it looks. Proves it was a safe, or maybe in the old days a locker queen (smile).

I still don't know how this kind of wear (scratches) counts in rating condition. That's why I included the two pictures of where the nickel is actually rubbed off. If that actual wear to the nickel is all that counts (not the scratches) then this HD must be something like 98%. Does that sound right??

Dave

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RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)