I just received my 27-2 (first picture). I thought I had found a beauty a few weeks ago, but it showed up and didn't have an N on the cylinder, or the frame. There was a faint R-N stamped on the frame. I sold it as a shooter and began searching for another. The newest one is a 1980 vintage and it has the N stamped on the cylinder and frame. It came with the original grips, but I really like these presentation grips on a nickel gun.

I now have four nickel N frames. If you have any, I'd love to see pics. Doc44 tells me that about 15 percent of the guns were nickeled (27's anyway), so there aren't as many as the blued guns. Some guys like nickel, some don't.

27-2





27-2 Transition (recessed cylinder, non-pinned barrel).


29-2


Another 29-2. This is the only S&W that I have with all of the boxes (presentation box, two-piece box, and large cardboard box that holds it all).

Nickel plated N frames? I have a couple. None are collector pieces, though. That's OK, I'm not a collector. Oh, I guess I shouldn't have included the pre-1961 guns? Oh well.

M27 shipped 1960.



M27-2 c. 1977.



M27-2 shipped 1977 to Florida Highway Patrol.



357 Magnum shipped 1950.



M57.



Third Model 44 shipped 1929 to Wolf & Klar.

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No life story has happy end.

Nickel rocks, congrats.

When I'm looking at a nickel N frame revolver, I always ask the
seller if there is the N stamping on the frame or cylinder. You'd
be surprised how many of these guns are not legit. Saves me
return postage and hassle.

Only one Nickel N frame.

My favorites are N frame nickel Smiths.






Not an original, but I like it as a shooter.

Got a few, but had an experience like you. Saw one on the Internet site, email him and then called him to make sure it was original nickel finish. When it arrived sure enough, no N on cylinder and a R-N on frame. It had a 978 stamp showing the re-nickel of a blue gun in Sept. 1978. After calling and talking to him I think he really didn't know. Was very apologetic and would refund all moneys.

It was such a nice gun I just couldn't send it back re-nickeled or not. Don't think it has been fired after the nickel job, and 36 yrs. later nickel looks outstanding., and it IS a factory finish

Attached Images

DSCN0197.jpg (101.7 KB, 169 views)

Nickel S&Ws were the first ones I bought when I got the "bug" ...

A Mod 19-3 was first in the 80's.


A plethora of 29s ...





586, 36, M&P, and Mod 19's.





My shooter Mod 27-2


... they were easier to find back in the day.

And I still like a nickel gun.

GF

Thanks for all the great pictures. I've never seen so much bling on one page. Here's my 29-2 with 8 3/8" barrel with the box refurbished by Joe Cebull, a member of the Smith & Wesson Forum. When I bought this the manager at the shooting range asked, "What are you going to do with that?" I told him it was my wife's new purse gun.

I have a couple. A 29-2 and a 58. There is something about a nickel gun with dark stocks that gets to me. I can't decide if I like blue with Ivory or nickel with dark better.

I'd almost forgot about this one. Here's a Model 25-5 4" in .45 Colt. It's almost as pretty as my wife's purse gun, the 29-2 with 8 3/8" barrel a post or two earlier.

John
Scoundrel and Ne'er-Do-Well in Training

When I first started I always had an eye out for the nickle Smiths or maybe they were just easier to spot. I more recently decided to get rid of my "bling" guns and replaced them with blued. I think the nickle cleans up better as the fouling areas are easier to spot, but I am partial to the deep blue over nickle.

This is the only one I have left a 27-2 factory nickle.

I only have one and a half.
I'm with wetdog in envisioning some with dark stocks though and I am prepared should something ride in on Goodyear's

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

I really like the S&W nickel revolvers and especially of this production period . I was just considering selling my 28 and going for another nickel 27 . My 28 might have the best trigger of all my S&Ws so I have to decide on that . One missing for me though currently is the 3.5 inch nickel 27 .

Beings my first Model 29-2 was nickel and started me on the S&Ws, and also had me sell of my Colts, I guess that the N frames got me .

Oh, sure. You guys make the OP's stuff look pretty basic.

I'd love to see more if anyone has some.

And, I forgot to ask. What kind of beer was everyone drinking in 1980? That was the year that I graduated high school. Probably PBR at the time.

I only have a few; two of them have moved on (the 8.375" 29-2 and the 4 screw Model 19)

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

The cylinder on the new 27-2 was a little hazy compared to the rest of the gun. I polished it a little with wenol and it shines nicely now. I believe Doc44 had mentioned it in an old post. The polish is a white cream, but my cloth turns black when using it. I'm not sure what the chemical process is.

Amazon.com: 100 ml. tube Auto Wenol (blue): Automotive@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41qLxAXeNrL.@@AMEPARAM@@41qLxAXeNrL

Only my 14, 17, and 28 are blued revolvers and if I add another N or two in nickel it will be much tilted then.

In 1980 . . . well I was of legal beer age . You know Lite beers were still a fairly new thing then . Even getting Coors , much less in the Silver Bullet Coors Light wasn't so easy and regular in Texas. But I was overseas chasing oil and spent most of that year or so in South America somewhere having beers like Polar when we had one or three .

My 29-2.

I had a Five inch 27-2 until recently but here's my 3 1/2"...

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RIP Shipmate

Sold off a bunch of nickle Smith's, only left with one.




And this off brand

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Sure you did

I don't have a nickle S&W - nickle others, but no Smiths.

so, the swingout needs to display an N?

When did they start that?

approx same place for N

The N is stamped on the loading end of the cylinder and on the frame under the grip panels. I've read that some guns were only stamped in one of those locations.

The R-N stamp that I mentioned means a re-nickle by S&W.

Can't stand the stuff






It just won't hold up when it's buried in concrete for 60-70 years...

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Halfway and one more step

ahhhh, a forum where I can say I like nickled guns - I feel like home

Factory nickel 27-2:

I expressed, on this very forum, a preference for blue revolvers. Lately though, I'm developing a fondness for nickel. Two of mine:

URL=http://s1287.photobucket.com/user/Mike_McLellan/media/K7A24852E862DD_1000105_zps68f6b7d1.jpg.html][/URL]

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Why, I aughta.....

Is it insulting to call you a collector?

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'Merica!

Ha. I'll say it. You, sir, are a collector. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

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Why, I aughta.....

My 29-3...

Attached Images

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Here's a consecutively numbered pair of new pre-27s

Sure enjoyed seeing blackdeuce's nickel N-Frames. That's a worthwhile goal, to assemble a group of six-inch nickel N-Frames.

Fun to see others' share their gleaming nickel too.

I liked nickel finish when I was a kid but then developed a strong aversion to it by the time I reached gun-buying age. I've now reverted back to my childhood and a few nickel revolvers have begun roosting here. Here are the nickel N-Frames.

Mid-1970s Model 57


A more recent addition, a mid-1950s Heavy Duty

^^^ Nickel HD , Nice.

12/71 27-2 Nickel... it just looks bigger than the blue.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

I kinda like nickel N frames myself.

A 6" and a 6 1/2" Model 29:


And a 4" and a 6" Model 57:


teesur.

Here is my only nickled N, a mod. 27-2- 6". I never cared for nickled guns, but bought this one many years ago, from a guy at work, that said he bought it for his wife, who fired it once, and wouldn't shoot it again. He needed a hundred bucks, and I bought it. I can't tell whether it has been fired at all. It does have the Ns on the cyl., and the frame. You folks have me thinking, and the nickled guns are growing on me. I have several nickled S&W Lemon Squeezers, but that don't count on this thread.
Chubbo

but I get a funny feeling looking at some of them.
Are they really guns if they don't get fired?

Nothing in my vault to match the beauty in this thread. This is my only N-frame nickeled S&W or nickeled S&W period. It is a modern 44 Special with the Mickey Mouse lock. Sorry I don't have the model number in front of me. It is currently buried deep in my vault.




I've always been a bit leery of nickel plating after hearing it right from the horse's mouth from a former Colt factory employee. I don't know if it necessarily applies to Smith and Wesson. He told me that 1911 frames or slides that had a blemish bluing wouldn't cover up were sent for nickel plating to hide it. He was employed there in the late 70's through early 80's and there is a good possibility the policy has changed.

In response to meeesterpaul, it does indeed get fired.

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Dave

Don't get mad guys but I love my 1983 Mod. 19-5 K-Frame .357 Combat Magnum.
She barks like a big dog.....
Nice bunch of "N's" you guys!!! ; )

Attached Images

19-5 6.jpg (160.4 KB, 18 views)

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S&W, Simply the Best!

Does this answer your question ?

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Meeeeeesterpaul, and the younger folks on this forum. I sincerely hope that you all get to the age of 83, as I have, and can't enjoying getting out to shoot my guns as often as I'd like. Then if you still have your guns, you will be able to get some enjoyment from them as I do by getting them out, and looking at them, showing them to others, that appreciate them, and the like. And, YES, to me they are really guns.
Chubbo

I agree with Chubbo 100%. While "only" 66 I do get out and shoot ALL my guns whenever the weather permits, or indoors when it doesn't. The two 3.5" 27-2 revolvers I have are in the shooting rotation as they are the most pleasant .357 Magnums to shoot that I have... even including my 8" Python I've had since '81!

I just hope my two grandsons will get near the fun with them when I'm gone.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

I never gave nickel or not nickel much thought. I heard that nickel was just a good way to for the factory to fix a blemished gun too. My dad had a M10 that was so old the nickel was peeling and I got him a stainless .38 Spl, I forget the model number but it had fixed sights, because I couldn't find a Model 66 357 Magnum for him. My first N frame was a six inch M57, pinned and recessed cylinder. I still have it and still remember my first handgun deer I took with it back in 1979. Thanks for the memory jog folks!

Only have one but may as well add it, its a 4" 25-5 45 Colt





Mark

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NRA BENEFACTOR MEMBER

Here's my nickel N-frame:

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1403749963.718121.jpg

That's cheating.

Yeah, but it's the only way I can afford one::-)

Wait, I needed the coins, so I no longer own a nickel S&W:-(