At least I think that's what it is. I found a M18-0 (SN K 3342XX) at a LGS in what I believe is (factory) satin nickel. I couldn't find much on line today and someone at the home office here thought it would be a good idea to do a site reboot right when I was looking for some input!!!! I figured at 460 bucks o.t.d. didn't much matter, I was going to grab it.

Pictures to follow, but TT, TH (not case hardened though), 4 screw with a Pinned non tapered 4" barrel. Came with some "so-so", stripped targets (no SN or markings on them). The condition is very solid with a slight turn line, a couple small nicks and just a couple tiny freckles. There is an "H" on the frame beneath the stocks and inside the crane. Locks up very tight with no play. I didn't dry fire it, but timing appears spot-on fiddling with it.

So I'm hoping for some validation that this in fact a factory satin nickel M18-0. Maybe an idea of value as well.

As always thanks in advance.

K317,823 – K350,547...1958 (production)
Otherwise, I have no idea about factory satin nickel originality. Any "N" stampings on the grip frame or rear face of the cylinder? Not sure when that stamping stopped, but I think around that time. Otherwise, you'd need a factory letter to answer the question authoritatively.

No "N", but an "H". I can't seem to find what the "H" stamp means.

Another thread is leading a similar looking piece to being refinished. If that is the case it is a great job. I do know from a "live chat" with someone at S&W that this gun wasn't sent back to the factory as far back as their records go (1980) so if it was refinished it probably wasn't done at the factory.

Thanks!

Without an N stamping (possibly inside a diamond), I'd have my doubts about factory originality. Hopefully, someone here knows more about whether S&W ever did anything which could be described as Satin Nickel. Lots of aftermarket shops did (and still do) various things like that, such as Armoloy and electroless nickel finishes. Getting a factory letter would be best if you really want to know.

That's curious. The "H" stamp is usually associated with Model 28. Many, but not all for some strange reason, have an"H" stamped on the rear face of the cylinder. This is to tip off the assemblers that the cylinder was destined for a Highway Patrolman and not the polished Model 27. Go figure

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John

Never seen one,never heard of one. No case-hardened hammer and trigger? How about the extractor star? I'd bet good money that it's been re-finished. So what? If it looks good,is mechanically sound,shoots good and only set you back $460,you should be more than happy.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I'm curious about the 18-0 statement. Is the gun actually stamped that way or is it simply an "18"? Dash 0 stamps are very unusual but are seen on 627-0 guns.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

Also several model 57s have a -0 engineering revision. There was at least one more but it is not coming to mind at the moment

I was about to ask the same thing.

Hammer and trigger are questionable without a photo.

If the extractor is plated as well this is clearly an aftermarket job

I'm betting your "satin nickle" is an aftermarket industrial chrome. This was very popular back in the 80's and 90's, and looks like a bead blast satin finish.

Does it look similar to this finish?

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I would say refinished because of the trigger and hammer not being case hardened. Evidently they were finished when the gun was refinished.

1. S&W never offered satin nickel.

2. The hammer and trigger were never plated on nickel gun. Should always be case colored.

What you have is most likely a gun refinished in hard chrome or some other industrial finish. These are turning up more and more.

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No life story has happy end.