Nickel Plated S&W 41

05medic · #1 10-02-2018, 07:11 AM

I have a custom nickel plated S&W 41 manufactured in 1984. It is in excellent condition. There was no residue in the gun or magazine when I got it. I put 50 rounds through it before I realized my old eyes need a red dot. My friend suggested it might be a collector’s gun and not shoot it. I am a shooter not a collector. Does this gun have any collector value or should I have it tapped and shoot away?

I am new to forum.

Thanks advance.

NovaJoe · #2 10-02-2018, 07:36 AM

If indeed it has been plated since leaving the factory, then it has no collector value.

824tsv · #3 10-02-2018, 07:53 AM

Welcome to the Forum,
I feel it's doubtful that it left the factory as nickel in the 80's, but with anything S&W -never say never-.
Since the barrels interchange, you can always pick up a D&T barrel, or a Clark Custom optic barrel to use. If you are able, please post some pic's.

05medic · #4 10-02-2018, 07:22 PM

I should have included this in my original post. I did contact S&W to get the manufacture date. The tech told me they did do a rare nickel customization of the 41 in the past but could offer no more information. He referred me to the web site for S&W Historical Foundation. I am preparing a letter to Roy Jinks to see if he has any info or ideas.

Thanks for your time and interest

kidcom · #5 10-02-2018, 09:28 PM

I've got to say that the 41 looks excellent and it just might have come from S&W nickel plated. Lettering the 41 with Roy Jinks is definitely the way to go. Good luck...

k22fan · #6 10-02-2018, 10:07 PM

It is not nickel colored. It appears to have the hard thin chrome plating that Armoly made famous. S&W put a similar flash chrome finish on the hammers and triggers in their stainless steel revolvers until about 1993. Absent any knowledge of S&W ever applying any frosted silvery plating to a whole gun paying $75 for a historical letter is a waste of money.

It looks like a great gun to use. Armoly was more rust resistant than stainless steel and harder to scratch.

Welcome to the forum.

Barrie · #7 10-02-2018, 10:59 PM

05Medic Welcome to the forum. I suspect the odds are against the gun coming from the factory in that finish other then a previous owner probably had it done for personal reasons. It does look great I will admit. I personaly would like it in my small collection of S&W Handguns. 3 at this time. More in time to come I suspect.

tozan · #8 10-03-2018, 01:03 AM

The engraving looks pretty sharp in the photo it just may be a factory job.

05medic · #9 10-03-2018, 04:02 AM

Thanks! I appreciate your input. Here are two photos to show ingraving taken with a phone not a camera.

824tsv · #10 10-03-2018, 08:32 AM

Looks hard chromed to me which was another popular aftermarket finish from the 80's. I agree with k22fan, a historical letter would be a waste of money.

murphydog · #11 10-03-2018, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05medic

Thanks! I appreciate your input. Here are two photos to show ingraving taken with a phone not a camera.

Welcome! The stamped lettering appears uneven and blurry, suggesting (not proving) it was polished in some way as part of a refinishing process.

graydog · #12 10-03-2018, 10:23 AM

No Matter what anyone says it looks good and I for one would like it in my collection.

Graydog

Jim Watson · #13 10-03-2018, 10:43 AM

A dealer near here once had a number of guns not usually seen plated, including a Model 41. He said it was done on order by Gopher Shooters Supply, the same outfit that sold Model 70 Winchesters without iron sights when that was unusual.

05medic · #14 10-03-2018, 01:58 PM

I took it to a gunsmith to have it tapped. He said it was chrome plated.

I want to thank everyone for there time and comments.