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Hello, I have a 1978 18-4 Combat Masterpiece in stainless steel and was curious on how rare or collectable these were to be in stainless steel. SN: 32K0890 Any help would be appreciated.
1978 18-4 Stainless Steel Rarity
- Thread starter Lv100Magneton
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Welcome aboard!
It's almost certainly an aftermarket hard chrome finish.
Check out Robar, Armaloy and Metalife. We've seen a lot those modifications because of the durability and corrosion protection. I have a Detonics with an industrial HC finish and it's a dead ringer for stainless steel.
It's almost certainly an aftermarket hard chrome finish.
Check out Robar, Armaloy and Metalife. We've seen a lot those modifications because of the durability and corrosion protection. I have a Detonics with an industrial HC finish and it's a dead ringer for stainless steel.
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I'd have to agree as I have never heard of a M18 being made in Stainless Steel. That said, who knows what S&W did! Could have been a prototype, experiment, custom gun, or whatever......
I agree with the others. Definitely an aftermarket finish. That said, I love the look of hard chrome and would jump all over your 18. Would love to see some pics!
Whenever someone posts about a stainless gun with a blue finish model number it is an aftermarket finish until proven otherwise.
My unscientific guess is for every 250 posts about that “rare stainless version of xxx model” one really is.
My unscientific guess is for every 250 posts about that “rare stainless version of xxx model” one really is.
I agree, almost certainly a hard chrome finish. Here's a 25-5 that the seller was certain was "factory nickel." And welcome to the Forum, lots of good information here and folks willing to help. And we love pictures, how about posting some of your 18-4.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2oewPej https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2oewPej https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
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Miracle Man
US Veteran
I'm very far from a S&W expert. But as has been said several times my guess would be it's been refinished.
I've seen a couple Smith's touted on GB and other sites as "rare" SS S&W whatever's.
And they're not
I've seen a couple Smith's touted on GB and other sites as "rare" SS S&W whatever's.
And they're not
Welcome to the S&W Forums. It is most likely that a "stainless" Model 18 is actually carbon steel with either a nickel (factory finish or aftermarket refinish) or has been refinished in hard chrome. Nickel will have a slightly yellow tint whereas hard chrome appears to have a more bluish tint, very similar to that of stainless steel.
Alk8944
US Veteran
If the gun is model-marked as a Model 18 it is NOT stainless steel! It is either Nickel plated as a factory finish or an after-market finish as others have stated! If it were Stainless the gun would be a different model number that starts with a "6". Like the Model 17 in stainless is a 617.
hkcavalier
US Veteran
Back when I was a baby S&W collector, I thought I might have one of those too. Not only hard chromed, but aftermarket round butt too. Great shooter even with sticky charge holes (probably from the additional material inside).
Pics would help, but I'm with the crowd on this one.....
I too would like to see a pic......but, it may be that the OP didn't like the answers given and this will be a "one and done" poster.
Don
Don
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lscocoa
Member
A pic would be great as curiosity has got me too . Even just for us as gun porn especially for m-18 fans . The op would benefit from club knowledge too .
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