Can someone tell me if a nickel plated 1905 4th change M&P needs a N prefix in the serial number to be nickel plated from the factory? I recently sold one on gun broker and the buyer returned it saying that the nickel finish was after market because it didn't contain a N on the frame. Serial #352XXX

I think that is a "sometimes but not always" situation.Tell him to letter it. Was the ejector blue or nickel ?

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

How about hammer and trigger? Does the gun have a yellowish appearance? Extractor should be blue?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

...if you look on the bottom barrel flat...on the barrel under the ejector rod with the cylinder open...and there is a "B" before the serial number...it was originally blue...

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A Country Boy Can Survive

S&W didn't stamp an N to indicate nickel finish on that early a M&P I don't believe. Push out the ejector star and see if an N is stamped on the cylinder under it. It would not be a part of the serial number in any case. Post some pictures of the gun so we can look it over for taletell refinishing.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

On an early M&P, no letter on the barrel flat next to serial means original nickel finish. No ifs and buts about it. Whether the gun has been RE-nickeled since is an entirely different question.

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Right, the method for earlier S&Ws would be the presence or absence of a B with the SN stamped on the barrel. Later, and I do not know exactly when, S&W stamped a capital N on the grip frame, left side, and/or a capital N on the rear face of the cylinder. It is sometimes difficult to detect non-factory nickel plating, but it usually can be done. Not unusual that a non-factory plating job will include plating the hammer, trigger, and sometimes the extractor star, which would not have been plated by S&W.

Whenever one sells anything other than in a face-to-face transaction, the seller has a duty to be absolutely certain about describing exactly what it is he is selling, especially in the areas of problems and finish originality.

I believe this is the OP's original auction. http://www.gunbroker.com/item/628015403

It appears that the gun has been refinished but I don't think that was the OP's original question. He was asking about an "N" prefix and there are no pics in his ad that show the s/n on the barrel. But as has been pointed out if it was originally nickel there wouldn't be an "N". I have a nickel 1905 4th and there is no "N".

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Dan
Ps 96 SWCA 2930 SWHF 524

IF this should indeed be the OP's auction, I would be surprised that a buyer who bought the gun as original nickel finish based on those pictures had enough experience to even know about N stamps and such. The refinish pretty much jumps at you and bites you in the nose .

If that is the gun in question, I'd agree that the finish shown is not original. And also that the purchaser was not too knowledgeable if he bought it thinking the finish was original. Of course, the seller did not represent its having an original finish, only that it was nickel.

needs a N prefix in the serial number to be nickel plated


An "N" prefix in the serial # has nothing to do with finish... Read the OP's 1st post..
JIM...........

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SWCA # L-1911

Thanks to everyone who replied. Appreciate your thoughts for clearing this up. In my description I represented that the gun has a nickel finish. However, the buyer return the gun based on the fact that he thought it was originally blue. I'll check the revolver tomorrow with your comments in mind and relist it acordingly.

It is nickle finish. You never stated it was original finish.

Regards,
Bruce

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Regards,
Bruce

Yes, it is nickel though the buyer used a later date symbol, that did not apply to this era, as a means of rejecting the arm for not being original. Even though it was never claimed, in the description, of being original. The seller doesn't mention any communication w/buyer or provide any text of possible discussion if there were any.

Perhaps buyers remorse though the better described the less confusion/wiggle room/options for refusal/return. There's no description of mechanical function. Whether it's a wallhanger, spits lead or a shooter.

Less knowledgeable bidders would benefit from a nickel hammer/trigger/extractor HE being listed as a BBQ arm. Vague descriptions tend not to be an asset to the buyer. As well I'll take two close-up hi-res pics that tell the tale over a bakers dozen of low-res that encourage imagination.

Not to cast aspirations on OP, yet there are sellers intentionally misrepresenting wares by mere omission of facts. They should strive to provide full disclosure to prevent sowing seeds reminiscent of used car salesman hawking auctioned rentals as one owner/mint/cherry/bargains.

Yes, the buyer should ask questions and be knowledgeable, yet the edge will always belong to the seller. As they know what they have in hand.

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Caveat venditor.

"...the edge will always belong to the seller. As they know what they have in hand."

One of the reasons I haven't bought any guns through an online auction.

I haven't bought online in years for that very reason. Alleged on the level, praised on this forum, auction sites might be fine on your higher end/better grades.

Yet, the pendulum seems to swing to favour them incrementally more on lower end arms. Plus, the shipping as a percentage of final cost will eat you alive on modest arms.

I'm pat on shooters one cylinder shy of wallhangin'. But, there's always room for one more.
Which is why I quit attending gun shows. Some folks just can't say "no".

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Caveat venditor.

I have a three day return policy and an A+ rating. I don't try to intentionally misrepresent my items for sale but occasionally we don't know specific details as in this case. By the way there is a B on the barrel flat and it will be relisted with that in the description.
Thanks Again,
Marc