Got this 59 cause I really like 59's and I got it cheap. I argued
that it was not factory nickel, and the GOLD hammer and trigger
were NOT original.
I did find three other 59's on line stating factory custom, that
looked just like it. One was Simpson's, the other two just said
factory custom. Maybe, probably not.
Anyway, I replaced the gold with 2nd Gen parts, added an arched
grip insert, replaced all springs with +&-, and cleaned up all
internals, and put on Uncle Mike's.
I shot it today, and it is perfect. It ran great and was as accurate
as I was.
Any one ever see one of these "factory" satin nickel 59's?

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I'm a great fan of the 3rd gen smiths. I have:

11 5906's
14 4506's
7 4566's
10 1006's
8 1066's
2 1076's

None are nickel and I've never seen one. This one sounds like it's an aftermarket finish and parts.

Back in the 80s I bought a 559 new. It was nickel. Reel nice.

Ashland Shooting Sports (or Supply) had a run of satin nickel 469s with blued controls made in about 1985. I had one. They were known for special runs then as Talo is now.

__________________
I need ammo, not a ride.

Never seen a factory 59 satin nickel. Yours may have been a process that was done in the late 70s and 80s called Metalife. There were also similar aftermarket processes which looked the same. Very durable and practical finish process. Nice gun.

Thanks everybody for your replies.
It doesn't really matter to me wether it is a factory finish or not.
I was just wondering if anyone here has ever seen a @'73 59 in
satin.
I posted a question a while back about my "fake" nickel 39-2,
that was confirmed "fake" by THE GUY, over the phone. Turns
out, thanks to member Alk8944, it was done in the factory,
complete with the bobbed hammer. He was there. Too cool.

I am envious of your collection.

Semper Fi Marine, and thanks.

After posting on this I went back thru my vault and was looking at my Montgomery Wards collection, by this I mean the Montgomery Wards we had in our city center indoor mall that had a firearms counter containing various Smith and Wesson weapons. At the time they were closing down, the store manager had put the weapons remaining on clearance of anywhere from 60-75% off retail. I ended up purchasing about 50 weapons total, most were nickel or blue ranging from model 10's to 12's to 36's, 29's, 59's. I ended up selling the majority of them but kept several model 10's, model 36's and model 29's all of which remain bnib. It should be stated that at this time I did have my FFL and was doing mostly Police auctions and sales to departments and individual officers.

Looking at what I have and what I had, I can say that all the nickeled weapons were bright and shiny, none were satin nickel in finish.

There was another finish back then also. It was called Nitex. I'm sure it was similar. Very durable.

170457? Expected to see a smooth front strap. I wonder if that was a dealer sample for the new serrated frames. Not the finish just the frame.