1st model New Departure with photos - before anything

[Raider]

My wife and I went to the Dallas Market Hall gunshow Saturday; $8.00 each for entrance plus free parking. I got a nice Walther PP but my wife got the goodie - a low number Smith New Departure First Model as new with box and pearl grips (maybe aftermarket). The reason the pistol was so cheap was because the finish was badly tarnished plus I think the seller was hungry to sell it. Photos to follow after we clean up her prize.

Question: I didn't know that nickel plate could tarnish so badly; the color was a pinkish-bronze. She thinks that it could be silver plated. Does anybody know about nickel plate tarnishing?

We are requesting a letter from Roy today.

Charlie

 

[alaskavett]

I suspect a form of oxidation that may have been influenced by something is direct contact with the pistol. Be careful what you use to "shine her up" as most all cleaning products are corrosive and abrasive. I have had very good results with Mothers Mag & Aluminum Polish. Remove the grips before starting and use any product sparingly. Can't wait to see photos of your new prize. Kyle

 

[H Richard]

Be careful with Mothers Mag Polish as it is relatively abrasive. Flitz is somewhat less abrasive, but still needs caution. I have heard Simchrome polish is one of the least abrasive. You might try a Sterling Silver polishing cloth on selected area's to see if it might be silver plated and that will clean it up.

 

[dogngun]

I have used Mothers-very lightly polishing by hand using a cotton cloth, and it works well to remove discoloration. To finely poliosh the surface after it is cleaned, I use jewelers cpolishing cloths...again very lightly by hand. They will even remove the "frost" from old nickel plated finishes. But use them very lightly!


mark

 

[Raider]

Thank you. Flitz won't even touch the tarnish so we are proceeding very carefully with Simichrome. Removal is still slow but at least it works.

Charlie

 

[TACC1]

Glad you got it, and am hoping you took some "before" pics
to go along with the finished product. TACC1

 

[Raider]

Photos

This are photos of the revolver with the tarnished finish. The finish is splotchy but the blueing is not affected. There is no evidence of peeling. No idea what caused it. These are just the before photos.

Charlie

 

[TACC1]

You're right, that does look like siver tarnish. Maybe it was
dunked in some really bad wine?
TACC1

 

[oberon]

I like it the way it is.

 

[Dosgatos]

DO NOT use anything that is ammonia based, as it will lift the nickel plating. Flitz is probably your best choice. I see that Simichrome (which works great on my stainless guns) contains Ammonium Oleate. Don't know what that is, but I suspect it is ammonia based, which is not good for your nickel gun. BTW: I suspect your gun has been nickeled after it left the factory (based onthe fit of the side-plate). That may explain the color of the plating.

 

[Oyeboteb]

Are you sure this is not Silver Plating?

 

[H Richard]

That tarnish does resemble silver tarnish. Have you tried something like a "Wrights Silver" cleaning cloth? They also make a cream, but I think that is more abrasive than the cloth. Looks like a great find. Not sure about a refinish, but the fit of the side plate is suspicious.

 

[giddyupsut]

it looks just like a my bumper (copper plate) did before they dunked it for in the Chrome bath. Do you think someone chromed it?