Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > S&W-Smithing
o

Notices

S&W-Smithing Maintenance, Repair, and Enhancement of Smith & Wesson and Other Firearms.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-07-2018, 01:03 PM
apotter11 apotter11 is offline
SWCA Member
Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Posts: 130
Likes: 47
Liked 95 Times in 43 Posts
Default Nickel 1905 4th change

Picked up a 1905 .38 spl with worn and a couple flaked areas of nickel. How can I remove this old finish to redo? I was thinking sandblasting but would prefer something less aggressive.

Great mechanical condition (the auction house said it was parts), needed oil on sideplate mounted hammer block.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1905 N4th (R).jpg (140.0 KB, 50 views)
File Type: jpg 1905 N4th(L).jpg (136.8 KB, 35 views)
File Type: jpg 1905 n4th under.jpg (150.5 KB, 39 views)
__________________
Al
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #2  
Old 07-07-2018, 08:04 PM
Alk8944's Avatar
Alk8944 Alk8944 is online now
Member
Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sandy Utah
Posts: 8,617
Likes: 1,554
Liked 8,617 Times in 3,453 Posts
Default

First, I would leave it alone. The Nickel on your revolver is better than probably 90% of Nickel Smiths of the same period that are still out there.

If you insist on re-finishing then send it Ford's. They do excellent work and for the quality their pricing is quite reasonable. They will do the stripping. They will do either Nickel or blue.

The only proper way to remove Nickel is chemical stripping, Brownell's sells the chemicals.
__________________
Gunsmithing since 1961
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-07-2018, 08:55 PM
jmclfrsh's Avatar
jmclfrsh jmclfrsh is offline
Member
Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change  
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 261
Likes: 27
Liked 338 Times in 94 Posts
Default

Yep, if you are looking to have it look like new again, Ford’s is the answer.

It will cost about $400 but it will look like it did 113 years ago.

Doing it yourself could ruin it, or in the end you would still send it off but they have less to,work with.

Again, it’s 113 years old! Not to be taken lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-07-2018, 08:55 PM
jmclfrsh's Avatar
jmclfrsh jmclfrsh is offline
Member
Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change  
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 261
Likes: 27
Liked 338 Times in 94 Posts
Default

Yep, if you are looking to have it look like new again, Ford’s is the answer.

It will cost about $400 but it will look like it did 113 years ago.

Doing it yourself could ruin it, or in the end you would still send it off but they would have less to work with.

Again, it’s 113 years old! Not to be taken lightly.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-07-2018, 09:18 PM
sonora sonora is offline
Member
Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change  
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 267
Likes: 436
Liked 151 Times in 94 Posts
Default

Leave it alone. You will demish it's value and ruin it's character.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-08-2018, 12:05 PM
apotter11 apotter11 is offline
SWCA Member
Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change Nickel 1905 4th change  
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Posts: 130
Likes: 47
Liked 95 Times in 43 Posts
Default

let's see, 1925 k frame, $110 (plus auction % and shipping)+ $400 to Ford's. Value after about $4-500.
For a gun bought as non-working parts gun, the character of cosmetic flaws seem reasonable! I think I will buff it some more and wax (Renaissance Wax, not Flitz I prefer the paste).
There are a couple areas of missing nickel (cylinder flutes and front of yoke) but no pitting.
If only the original owner had kept it in his sock drawer instead of the garage/cellar, it could have been perfect. Then again, whoever de-greased it and left it totally exposed ......

Thanks.
__________________
Al
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1905 nickel 4th change apotter11 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 9 07-07-2018 06:54 PM
Nickel plated 1905 4th change M&P ccf9881 S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 16 04-06-2017 04:28 PM
How high should I go on this nickel 1905 4th change? xssv S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 9 08-27-2015 07:41 PM
WTS: M15-3 Nickel & 1905 4th Change *SPF* flundertaker GUNS - For Sale or Trade 3 12-22-2013 09:28 PM
Nickel 1905 3rd change? Sequim S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 2 02-08-2013 09:33 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:09 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)