Lacking knowlege of which forum to put this

[S.B.]

I'll ask here. Has any S&W revolver nickel plated at and by the factory ever had their trigger and hammer been plated also? To the best of my knowledge, they were left as case hardened with the extractor star blued? I do know the old adage never say never with S&W.
TIA, Steve

 

[delcrossv]

A plated hammer and trigger is pretty much the definitive sign of a replate. So I'd say never, as in never ever.

 

[bamabiker]

My memory gets a little fuzzy sometimes but I seem to remember reading here on the forum that there was a gun from the factory with nickeled hammer and trigger.
Any body else remember that?

 

[Absalom]

My memory gets a little fuzzy sometimes but I seem to remember reading here on the forum that there was a gun from the factory with nickeled hammer and trigger.
Any body else remember that?

The problem would be that the ONLY way it could be conclusively proven that a trigger and hammer had been nickeled at the factory would be if you got an invoice or order document through the SWHF saying something like “Special order: Include trigger and hammer in nickel finish”.

Otherwise, even if the gun as such is a documented factory nickel or re-nickel job, the nickeled trigger and hammer could have been switched out or done by Bubba at any time during the gun’s life span (and most likely were).

 

[bamabiker]

The problem would be that the ONLY way it could be conclusively proven that a trigger and hammer had been nickeled at the factory would be if you got an invoice or order document through the SWHF saying something like “Special order: Include trigger and hammer in nickel finish”.

Otherwise, even if the gun as such is a documented factory nickel or re-nickel job, the nickeled trigger and hammer could have been switched out or done by Bubba at any time during the gun’s life span (and most likely were).

I know it sounds crazy but I seem to remember unusual things and I remember someone stated they had a gun or knew of a gun that came from the factory with these items. Maybe mistaken, won't be the first time.

 

[k22fan]

Hint.

While it is possible that the bumper chrome on the Mauser made Luger I owned really was done by Mauser as a special order the wildest gun show sellers could not make their mouths tell that story.

 

[Vettepartz]

Since you posted in THIS section, I assume you are talking about the older guns, or what may be considered older. I think that the Model 66 guns, which could be considered newer, had their hammers and triggers "flash chromed", or something to that effect. Maybe someone else can jump in and say more on that.

 

[k22fan]

Since you posted in THIS section, I assume you are talking about the older guns, or what may be considered older. I think that the Model 66 guns, which could be considered newer, had their hammers and triggers "flash chromed", or something to that effect. Maybe someone else can jump in and say more on that.

The very thin hard chrome with a frosted appearance was standard on the hammers and triggers in stainless handguns from their introduction until about 1994. Exceptions can be found in Performance Center limited production models and I vaguely recall the that first few handfuls of Model 60s actually had stainless steel hammers and triggers. Those more or less silver colored flash chromed hammers and triggers could be what whoever started the rumor that there were factory nickel plated hammers and triggers saw.

 

[S.B.]

OK, I did not purchase this gun for it's collector value and seller didn't ask it when selling it. I don't remember hard chroming coming onto the scene till well after this gun was made? The nickel is deteriorating badly and it's hard to tell where it starts and stops. Just my curiosity running in top gear.
Steve

 

[murphydog]

There was a factory letter documenting a revolver as being shipped with a (nickel? gold?) plated hammer and trigger; I recall it was from the 1930s but may be wrong.

As you describe this one, especially if the gun itself is refinished, the plated action parts are almost certainly aftermarket work.

 

[glowe]

Yes there is documentation out there referencing full nickel plated guns, mostly antiques. I recall an invoice for a Model 1 1/2 that stated full plate, trigger, hammer, and ejector rod. Also, I have a Model 1 1/2 full nickel that Jim Supica said was factory, but I never got a letter. I am not sure a letter would help with this issue or not??

I have read that the factory did not like to nickel plate triggers or hammers because the thickness of the plating could rub and affect the action of the revolver. Tolerances were very small with most S&Ws and I could understand that parts rubbing could happen.

 

[Targets Guy]

Another learning experience.

 

[Porkie]

I recall a comment here that hard chrome could be had on hammers and triggers. I have a transition HD that appears to be so equipped. At the time I wasn’t sufficiently interested to follow up on the point.

The gun I have is from 1950 and is nickel plated but chrome doesn’t have the yellow cast that nickel does.

Regards, Porkie

 

[handejector]

We know that ONE Reg Mag was ordered with nickel plated hammer and trigger. The exception to the rule.
Otherwise, if you see a plated hammer and trigger on a HE, I'll ALWAYS bet it is not original, and I'll win every time.

 

[rct269]

Well, maybe not win every time; but certainly most of the time. Actually--------there were four pre-war Magnums with nickel hammer and trigger; Registration numbers 4716, a nickel 5"; 1067, a nickel 6"; 4677, same; and 4893, same----so sayeth The Man in his first work on the RM's. So if you have one of those, you can probably charge extra without getting too much sass.

Ralph Tremaine