57 no dash nickel 6 inch

[Geronimo Jim]

Another gun I am trying to help price for the widow of a friend.
Mfg in 1975 to 1976. Nickel was discontinued in 1986.
Nickel is very good with not marks but he cylinder is very cloudy.
Trigger has been smoothed on the sides and narrowed some.
Screws are a little buggered. Would appreciate your thoughts on
real world value. Thanks Again. Jim

[Alex Johnson]

For what it is worth, I purchased a 57 in nickel finish with a 4" barrel and smooth factory presentation grips recently for $1100 with the case and accessories. It is perhaps a bit better condition than yours, but not by that much. I think I got a fair price for this area. Will post pictures later this evening for comparison.

[Summersteel]

What causes the nickel to get cloudy?

[22hipower]

Originally Posted by Summersteel

What causes the nickel to get cloudy?

I don't know, some form of oxidation presumably. Whatever it is, it can usually be removed and the finish returned to bright/shiny with some Flitz or comparable.

I think the value might be north of $1100 depending on the sales venue. I sold/traded one without box/etc. a couple years ago for $1k. Haven't seen one with the package sell locally lately but $1500 on an auction site would not be unexpected. The 57s are popular these days and lots of folks like the shiny ones.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[Hair Trigger]

Originally Posted by Summersteel

What causes the nickel to get cloudy?

Even nickel will oxidize over time, if not kept clean. Skin oils from handling attract dirt, too. A little Flitz and a soft cloth will have that nickel looking like chrome with about 30 minutes worth of work. I found a M29-2 a couple years ago that was even worse than the M57 in the picture, but it cleaned up very nicely.

That is not the original trigger on that M57. The hammer is still color case hardened, which factory nickel guns have (as well as the trigger). That trigger is nickel or chrome, and the profile is not that of a factory trigger. It may be a factory trigger that was reworked, which would remove the color case hardening, and it was refinished in chrome or nickel.

[Geronimo Jim]

It is the factory trigger that has been reworked. You can see
the original case hardening near the top. Probably doesn't show
in photo. Used a little bit of flitz and cylinder polished up nice.
Thanks to everyone for your input.