Is this 1896 1st Model 32 Hand Ejector refinished?

[boro22]

The nickel finish almost looks too good and I can't tell if the logo on the sideplate is still there or polished off


It has already been sold for $1500: Smith & Wesson 32 HAND EJECTOR 1ST MODEL DA - M11376 - Simpson Ltd

 

[cgt4570]

That's a tough one. It doesn't have any of the obvious tell-tale signs. Id does look like the head of the hammer stud on the left side is a little flat. None of the other signs are there. Sideplate gap looks good. Screw holes aren't dished. Cylinder roll marks are sharp. If refinished, the most likely by the factory service department. Pull the grips and look for a month and date. Also look for a star in front of the SN on the grip bottom.

 

[glowe]

Not tough, flattened hammer stud, dished sideplate seams, large cylinder groove apparently filled with nickel plate make it almost certain that the gun was refinished outside the factory. Logo is buffed off. I have a few nickel guns that are original and attached some photos.

 

[mrcvs]

If I was the seller, I’d take the $1500 and run! Definitely refinished.

 

[rct269]

Picking a nit, it figures factory refinishing is done by the finishing folks; not the Service Department. The Service Dept. folks take it apart, and put it back together. The markings we see come from the Service folks telling the finishing folks what to do-------and they do it exactly the same as they do regular production.

I have yet to see a factory refinished gun I could tell was refinished without seeing the service markings----not that I've seen all that many of them, but they're that good!!

Ralph Tremaine