Here is my nickel pre 27. I asked about a few months ago about the sideplate and the wear on it. Well I put it in the safe and forgot about it until now. I just can't stand to look at it this way, especially next to another nice shiny nickel gun. Because the factory letter says it came in nickel, I want to keep it nickel. I don't know how many times over the years it has been re-nickeled, but I figure one more time won't hurt. I know Ford's can do it, and as of 10/24/15 APW Cogan does not do bright nickel. Who else could do a good job on this and make it look like it should look. I am not interested in making money on this gun as it is a keeper. Well here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure.

You can check out my post at this link: Re-Nickeling a Triple Lock?

I provided a link to another source for re-nickel work along with pictures of one of my revolvers as an example of his work.

He is a lot less expensive and faster than Ford. That is the only comparison I can provide between the two sources. I have heard great things about Ford.

There is a lot more than re- nickeling that needs to be done to this gun to make it right. The side plate fit needs done, all of the flats need worked on, the emblem needs fixed, some of the lettering needs fixed, etc. There is a lot of metal work that goes into a proper refinish. I spend up to 75 hours to work on a beat up gun. I can see 60 hours to fix yours.
If you just re-nickel over what you have you will end up with a shiney version of what you have!

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

Just a thought, your money, your gun. Pls. leave her alone and just shoot her and enjoy. But, Im old, and dont know nothing. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

It's sad to see a first year production pre-27 in factory nickel
in that condition. I hope you can find a way to bring it back
to its former glory without breaking the bank. Good luck!

Would you send a respected and loved Granddad off to a plastic surgeon to return him to his 17 year old looks?

Granddad and that gun earned those wrinkles and scuffs during their long lives.

Refinishing Gramps or the gun takes away all of those stories and experiences they went through to get here today.

Neither just wouldn't be the same.

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Eccentric old coot.

I believe Turnbull Restorations can bring it back to new condition, but like tlay said, there will be some hours involved, and it won't be cheap. A WAG?, maybe close to a couple grand? Turnbulls link is posted below. I have a USFA revolver that was color case hardened by Turnbull - Beautiful work.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...lcuKF_toBKTU7A

Larry

"IGGY" has a point, however this pre-27 looks like it got hit
by a Mac Truck! Maybe a little "plastic surgery" might be in
order. I'm just sayin'.

I checked with Turnbull on a refinish on a Smith I have. They don't or did not at that time refinish Smiths. Have no idea why but they did refer to me to Cylinder and Slide. I have no idea how good they are, but doubt Turnbull would refer anyone to a less than stellar operator.

It is not financially viable to re-nickle and restore this gun. Leave it as it is, sell it and get a 27 in the condition you desire. You will be ahead financially.

What makes you think it has been re-nickeled before? All the markings look pretty sharp except for the logo on the side plate. The latter could have been compromised by over zealous cleaning, as evidenced by the parallel grooves / scratches in the side plate.

I would try to address the rust issues (especially on the grip frame).

Cost is prohibitive for a quality refinish. Not to mention that a refinish would destroy any remaining collector value.

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They lack our altruism.

Smith and Wesson will re nickel for under $300.00.

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A Snider squibbed n the Jungle

S&W won't refinish or work on a pre-numbered gun. As for being refinished before, I have no doubt it has. Look at the worn edges, the buffed out logo and lettering. To return this gun to its previous grand self will take 3 times its value. Leave it as is and find the safe queen you are looking for.

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Tom
NRA Pistol Inst

I would just leave it like it is.

Before you make any decisions based on cost, talk to Ford's. They can re strike the sideplate emblem and probably repair the sideplate fit. The front sight base also needs to be removed and replaced in order to deal with rust. Anyway, it costs nothing to talk to them and you'll have some accurate numbers to deal with instead of hearsay when you make a decision.

Bruce

I do not think S & W will refinish this pre27. I recently contacted them and asked if they would re finish my 19-2 nickle. The first answer was no due to its age. The second time I asked i was told Yes but the gun had to be straight because they had no parts for it. I guess it could not hurt to ask.

Worse yet, I would compare it to giving grandpa a "boob job."

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Join the NRA today

I also would recommend Cylinder & Slide. They are in a small town near my home - very competent and ethical. You will pay a lot for this restoration, but you will be satisfied.

Reckon my eyes must be goin' bad on me, cause it just don't look all that awful to me. Reckon I better schedule a visit with the eye doc.

I will be the dissenting opinion on this, I may get flak for it but I don't care.

My pop was crazy, he spent twenty grand and five years of his free nights (and much of my childhood) restoring a rusted hulk of a shell of a 38 Ford V8 Sedan to better than new condition. When he was done the car was worth $12k. (At the time, now it's probably worth much more). When he was done, what he had created (I hate to say restored, because really it was creation) was a piece of history that would not have existed had he not been present and driven to make it so, a piece of history which now was inseparable from his own history.

The moral of the story is, you do what you need to do and for your own reasons. And if you create, do not part with your creation.

I contacted Ford's. I told them what I had with pitting and all. They said it would be $320.00 for a re-nickel and $65.00 for the removal and restamp of the S&W emblem. They said they would check over the whole gun first then give me a call with estimate. I might go that route as I know they do very good work.

Many here are serious collectors, and look at a project such as this with any eye for originality and cost effectiveness. Understandable. But it really hinges on what YOU want to do with YOUR revolver. The car restoration post by PzKfW5 is a good example. There is no right or wrong answer, just what YOU want. If $$ is not a real concern, then I say go for it.

Larry

I'd break out the simi chrome polish and go to work lightly. Make her look the best she can be. Replace the side cover from e gun parts. And live with her. I'd be a proud owner.

RThe sideplate is a finely hand fitted part. The odds of you getting a used part which will fit correctly are slim and none. Slim left town. If you do not have the necessary experience and skill to do the required fitting, it's a job best left to a qualified gunsmith.

Bruce