18-3 Finish

[K-Frame18]

Hey everyone. I wanted to share my model 18-3 from the early 1970’s. I got this revolver right around the time I signed up for this forum (hence my name on here). I got it along with a model 15-3, that’s in better shape, for $550 for the pair shipped directly to my C&R.

Everything on this revolver functions flawlessly with the only issues being with the finish as seen in the pictures. Since I’ve had it I’ve tossed the idea back and forth about whether I should get it refinished or not. Part of me likes to keep guns original, but another part of me would like to see it restored and looking pretty.

I’ve never sent a pistol back to S&W and was looking at some of their revolver refinishing options on their site. I also was checking out some prior posts and examples on the forum and learned that the factory bluing process is different now. I see that they have options for high bright polish, standard polish & blue and also glass bead blue. I’m not really sure what the differences are between these options and would love some examples and feedback from anyone that has had this done. I’m assuming I’d want the high bright polish.

What do you guys think? Restore her or leave her as is??

 

[stansdds]

The finish on your Model 18-3 is very worn and given it's condition, and I presume no box and docs, it's a shooter grade revolver, not a collector piece. Refinishing a collector piece destroys its value, but with a shooter grade, a well done refinish will preserve its value. I won't say it would increase its value, but its not going to hurt it either.

S&W has gone through several different bluing methods during its history. The original blued finish for the 18-3 would have been the carbona blue, which was discontinued in 1980. The carbona process produced a true, blue finish. The hot blue dip process, aka black oxide, used from 1980 to 2000 produced a durable, blacker looking blue. S&W's current black oxide process produces a very black finish, so it will not have the same blue look as the original finish. Also, S&W advises to not use solvents that contain ammonia on their current "blue" finish as it can give the finish a plum tint.

 

[MajorD]

I would personally keep as is and shoot it regularly as intended. I have never been a fan of refinish, it costs money and as mentioned in collectors guns decreases value, and in shooter grades doesn’t add.
A $400 shooter you spend $400 on to refinish is still a $400 shooter.
I will admit a bias to having a soft spot for these well worn guns. I try to search out such examples ( tend to be delightfully inexpensive ) as I am not a collector but a user, so all my guns even my antiques get shot

 

[Engine49guy]

Much easier to sell the gun and use the funds plus what you would have spent on a clean example IMO.
If I had extreme sentimental attachment to a blue gun in poor cosmetic condition and deep pockets I might consider having it engraved and reblued or nickeled.
If it was only going to remain as a shooter but I wanted to spiff it up Id consider having it professionally hard chromed especially in a case where a SS production version never existed like the Model 18.
Youd end up with a kinda retro Mountain gun for well under the new versions $1200 msrp, you could even round butt it if so inclined.