Nickel Plated S&W's

[Retired W4]

While looking through my modest collection I noticed how many nickel guns I have compared to models that I don't have in the nickel variations. I've listed model marked guns, which is mostly what I have, but the list does include some pre-model marked guns. Nickel: 12, 13, 15, 19, 27, 29, 34, 37, 38, 57 and 58. The models of which I have only in blue: 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 35, 36.

The model 10 and "pre" 10's seem to be very difficult to find in nickel, but even the others listed above seem to have eluded me. The exceptions being the pre war guns like the model of 1905, including the 32-20. They seem a little more common in nickel. The 22, 32, 38 Masterpieces, forget it.

Of the nickel guns listed, it looks to me that the N frame 27, 29, 57 are frequently found. I feel blessed to have acquired some of the harder to find nickel gums, especially the 13, 34 and 58. Someone posted a nickel 32 Masterpiece a while ago. Wow.

 

[Hair Trigger]

I only have two nickel guns in my collection, a M29-2 and a M25-5. I generally prefer blued guns, but I'm not above grabbing a nice nickel plated gun when one presents itself. The M29-2 is a commemorative that I looked for and is the only way it comes.

 

[C Islander]

The only nickel gun I have.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

I have a few nickel guns, but preferred blued.

The nickel ones I have are a 29-2, 57. 10-5, 39-2 and a 32-20 made in 1907.

 

[lihpster]

I have 2 nickel guns at the moment, and they are very different. One is my nearly pristine 27-2 6". The other is my very rough .32 Third model. Sort of David and Goliath.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I love a nice Nickel gun, I have a few.

While looking through my modest collection I noticed how many nickel guns I have compared to models that I don't have in the nickel variations. I've listed model marked guns, which is mostly what I have, but the list does include some pre-model marked guns. Nickel: 12, 13, 15, 19, 27, 29, 34, 37, 38, 57 and 58. The models of which I have only in blue: 10, 14, 16, 17, 18, 35, 36.

The model 10 and "pre" 10's seem to be very difficult to find in nickel, but even the others listed above seem to have eluded me. The exceptions being the pre war guns like the model of 1905, including the 32-20. They seem a little more common in nickel. The 22, 32, 38 Masterpieces, forget it.

Of the nickel guns listed, it looks to me that the N frame 27, 29, 57 are frequently found. I feel blessed to have acquired some of the harder to find nickel gums, especially the 13, 34 and 58. Someone posted a nickel 32 Masterpiece a while ago. Wow.

But I would love to have a Nickel model 58. I have a clean blue one. But I have never even seen a Nickel model 58. The thing about Nickel guns is that when they are clean they are awesome. But when they start to degrade, they go downhill fast.

 

[raljr1]

Did you say nickel? It's all I'd buy if I could find them all that way. A handful have been added since this picture.

 

[A10]

No 28s in your collection? Personally, I'd probably sell the grandkids for a nickel 28-1.....not really, but, you know, I'd be tempted!

 

[Alice The Cat]

Very impressive collection! I hope some day to have many but sadly I have only one in nickel and it's my favorite thing in the safe.

 

[Lonestar57]

Nickel is my favorite for collecting. Got a few more on the to buy list, but they're starting to get hard to find in my area.

 

[MajorD]

My taste is definitely old school blue, but nickel definitely beats stainless as a second option. I have no problem grabbing nickel if it comes up. For years I sought an affordable model 34, but I specifically wanted a 2" square butt. The first ( and last ,apparently) one I came across was nickel, so I jumped on the deal.
Happy I did because I have not seen another 2" square butt since, and the one I have has been wonderfully accurate, and doesn't suffer from the tight chamber issues many S&W's do.

 

[raljr1]

No 28s in your collection? Personally, I'd probably sell the grandkids for a nickel 28-1.....not really, but, you know, I'd be tempted!

I've looked at a nickel 28 or two, but either they weren't factory nickel (rare), or the aftermarket nickel was not well done.

 

[bananaman]

Very impressive collection! I hope some day to have many but sadly I have only one in nickel and it's my favorite thing in the safe.

BEAUTIFUL SNUB!!! A 15 2" has eluded me. Bob

 

[BSA1]

A nickel plated Model 10 has eluded me also. That is one that is in good enough condition to suit me. I do have a blue Model 10 4"
barrel with a lot of holster wear and a Model 64.

Mechanically both guns are in very good condition. The Model 10 feels like the action is like it is new in the box. Well that is because it is! The gun is a trade-in from a Security Company that showed a lot of holster wear. The right grip panel was almost beat to splinters from banging into car doors and what not. However it had a buttery smooth double action from several decades of being shot.

All was well until I took it to the range. It would fire the first three rounds fine then seize up on the next three. I could not figure out how to fix it myself so I ended up sending it to S&W for repair. They fixed it (the repair ticket says "fixed ammo binding") for $100.00 and some change. They fixed it good. Too good in fact. It appears they replaced all of the internal parts (trigger and hammer very obviously) with new ones. The wonderful buttery smooth double action from over 30 years of shooting was gone forever. :-(

They did put the gun on a buffing wheel and shined up the blue finish. I was very tempted at the time to have them reblue it while they had the gun but am now glad I resisted the temptation. I want a basic working revolver that I am not afraid of putting in a holster and carrying it outdoors doing chores or back-up when hunting. A new well done blue finish along with the new internal parts would probably make the gun to nice to start carrying. I replaced the right grip panel with one from the parts box and wears a rubber grip adapter (like a Tyler T-Grip) that has the S&W company logo on it. How cool is that? I never knew S&W made one. The guy I brought it from off of the Internet advertised it as a Tyler T-Grip.

The Model 64 4" barrel is in very good condition. The finish and grips show little wear and the trigger pull feels like it when it came out of the box. :-(

Anyway I am on a quest for a 4" barrel nickel Model 10 to make a trio. It is my excuse for going to Gun Shows. I am considering acquiring a nickel model with a 2" barrel to help satisfy me until a 4" barrel one comes along.

 

[robvious]

Nickel is beautiful and durable, to a point... But I only have one in my accumulation... a well used 10-6 that started me here on the forum... searching for what the extra markings meant... and if the PIMPY GOLD LEAF had any significance other than an Elvis tribute... lol

 

[two-bit cowboy]

How 'bout some early Chiefs Specials? These range from '52 to '62.

 

[Retired W4]

The Elusive Nickel 58

But I would love to have a Nickel model 58. I have a clean blue one. But I have never even seen a Nickel model 58. The thing about Nickel guns is that when they are clean they are awesome. But when they start to degrade, they go downhill fast.

It kinda fell in my lap with the original box. I like to use this one as an example of factory test fired only.

 

[Hawg Rider]

For most of my life, blued revolvers were always my favorites. About 10 years ago a friend asked me to clean up his nickel 8-3/8" Model 29-2 because he was going to sell it on consignment. Boy, did that clean up nice and shiny. I should have bought it from him right then, but being a blued steel guy (and not a big fan of long tubes) I let him take it to the lgs to sell. Oh well. But a few years back, for some unknown reason, I started adding a few nickel versions to my collection. It started with a 1927 .44 HE 3rd Model (W&K 1926), then a 1950 .38 M&P. Soon after I added a 1978 Model 19-4, a 1980 Model 29-2, and lately a 1980 Model 57. What the heck is going on? LOL!. But they sure are purty!

 

[Jim Watson]

Ran into a guy I had not talked to in some time.
He has been collecting .357s, mostly "pre 27" and has one of each cataloged barrel length in blue. He said he only has one nickel so far and they are a lot harder to find and more expensive when you do.

 

[LEO918]

Heavy Duty 1953, M&P 1950, Model 16 K-32.