Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum pre 27 factory re-nickel

Tommy Gun 1256 · Mar 7, 2024

Good morning, I recently purchased a 1956 .357 Magnum (pre 27) nickel. After doing some research it was re-nickeled at the Smith and Wesson factory according to the markings. The gun is absolutely stunning in appearance. How much does a factory re-nickel effect the value of a gun? Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you.

TheTinMan · Mar 7, 2024

If the refinishing definitely was done by Smith & Wesson and the finish looks good now, I do not think it detracts from the value of the revolver much. Would I prefer an original finish? Yes. However, I would prefer a S&W refinish that looks great over an original nickel finish that is in substantially worse condition. I hope that makes sense.

Also pics or it didn’t happen! There is no way to even spitball a dollar amount without photos, including the left side of the grip frame and back of the cylinder.

Chip

bwade · Mar 7, 2024

I agree with Chip, as long as it was nickel to begin with and not blue.

rct269 · Mar 7, 2024

The prevailing wisdom is a 15% reduction.

The same job performed at Bubba's Chrome & Bumper Emporium makes for a 50% reduction---and that, of course, is because it ain't the same job----it just sort of looks like it---from a distance-----the further the better!

I had one once---a 5" Registered Magnum which I surmised had been taken home and put in a sock drawer by the Lt. So & So, to whom 15 of the identical guns had been shipped. My supposition was supported by the fact everything under the sideplate appeared to be brand new.

Later on, having discovered 5 little bitty stars----well hidden every place it had a place (frame/cylinder/yoke/barrel/sideplate), I decided it had been completetly rebuilt/refinished by the factory.

Then, after succumbing to a bad case of purist, I sold it.

I keep telling God I wish I had it back. No such luck!

As an aside, I've never seen a factory refinished gun (blue or nickel) that I could tell was refinished----aside from the markings on it that told me so. That figures when you consider the fact the refinish was done by the same staff using the same equipment used for regular production.

Ralph Tremaine

Hawg Rider · Mar 7, 2024

rct269 said:
The prevailing wisdom is a 15% reduction.

The same job performed at Bubba's Chrome & Bumper Emporium makes for a 50% reduction---and that, of course, is because it ain't the same job----it just sort of looks like it---from a distance-----the further the better!

I had one once---a 5" Registered Magnum which I surmised had been taken home and put in a sock drawer by the Lt. So & So, to whom 15 of the identical guns had been shipped. My supposition was supported by the fact everything under the sideplate appeared to be brand new.

Later on, having discovered 5 little bitty stars----well hidden every place it had a place (frame/cylinder/yoke/barrel/sideplate), I decided it had been completetly rebuilt/refinished by the factory.

Then, after succumbing to a bad case of purist, I sold it.

I keep telling God I wish I had it back. No such luck!

As an aside, I've never seen a factory refinished gun (blue or nickel) that I could tell was refinished----aside from the markings on it that told me so. That figures when you consider the fact the refinish was done by the same staff using the same equipment used for regular production.

Ralph Tremaine

I agree with Ralph that it's very difficult to tell visually when S&W performed a re-nickel or re-blue job. They did very good work, especially with the vintage revolvers. However, I disagree with Ralph about a 15% reduction in value...I think a factory refinished revolver is just about as valuable as original finish. What's the rework date stamp on the grip frame of your '56 .357 Magnum? I was curious if it was a much older re-nickel or a newer one. A couple of years ago I picked up this 6" nickel Model 29-2 (1980) at a local gun show for $950. Once I removed the stocks I found a rework stamp for "RN 1/89", but I certainly couldn't tell from looking at it. I value my 29-2 as if it were original finish.

Tommy Gun 1256 · Mar 7, 2024

Thanks everyone for the great information. I looked and the date of the re-nickel is April 1976. The marked date on the gun is 476 so almost 50 years ago. The gun is in amazing condition and the re-nickel is almost "like new". Again, I really appreciate all of the information. Thank you all.

Engine49guy · Mar 7, 2024

I have two early 70's SW revolvers that were factory refinished in the mid to late 70's,
what is interesting is that both have their serial numbers stamped on the barrel flat and the cylinder face and would not have originally when they were made.
In the old days SW revolvers had those parts numbered after being "Soft fit" so those parts went back to the right frames after being blued or nickeled since that process was performed while the guns were disassembled .
Your gun was made when they still "soft fit" them so already had serials on the barrel, cylinder face etc.
The only tell should be the RN and refinish date stamp usually applied to the left side grip frame.

RKmesa · Mar 7, 2024

Engine49guy said:
...The only tell should be the RN and refinish date stamp usually applied to the left side grip frame.

... that and probably the fact that in 1976 the factory probably did not remove the front sight base, resulting in a nickeled front sight and base, which would not have been the case when nickeled 357s left the factory in the 1950s (also 1950s nickeled 357s had proud front sight pins). Here are a couple of 1950s 357s that I own so you can see the front sight...

I would love to see some photos of the OP's gun.

Tommy Gun 1256 · Mar 7, 2024

After seeing all of the comments I've decided for now to keep the gun. If I sell it I know I'll regret it like so many other 1950's guns I've had and sold or traded. Thank you everyone for your input.

Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum pre 27 factory re-nickel

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