Model 18-4 stainless?

[Sconnie]

I really need to get the 3rd Edition of the Smith & Wesson Standard Catalog.

But until then I will just ask here, I was browsing the Gunbroker listings as usual and came across one from a pawn shop that says it is a model 18-4 and it looks like a bead blast stainless. Never seen anything other than the beautiful blue steel for a model 18 of any type. Although I imagine there are some bright nickel finish 18's out there.

I have never purchased a gun without touching it first so Gunbroker is merely something to look at for me at this point.

Were there stainless 18's made?

......
Now that the auction is closed here is a link to what I was seeing. If I read the rules correctly a link to an ended auction is OK. But it is pretty much a done issue and perhaps the new owner will be in love with the new Smith regardless of the finish.

Smith & Wesson Model 18-4 22 L.R. *NO RESERVE* : Revolvers at GunBroker.com

 

[ma deuce]

Maybe somebody hard-chromed it.

 

[P&R Fan]

No, there were not any stainless M18s. If there had been it would have been called a M618.
That looks like it has some sort of aftermarket finish on it. Don't think it is nickle.
The Catalog says nickled ones were not cataloged. Some were produced and bring a 50% to 75% premium.
That is not one of them.
Jim

 

[markeb]

Looks like some type of coating, maybe duracoat. Everything except the grips looks coated. Yikes.

 

[Broker50]

I'd like to find a "finish challenged", but mechanically sound model 18 to have hard chromed, but not like that one. IMHO, that one's not worth the bid that's already on it...............

 

[BAM-BAM]

Coated .......... with what , by whom ?????????

I'd pass without seeing, handling in person!!!!!

 

[Stranglehold]

Looks like a spray & bake DuraCoat-type finish....on everything.

What a shame.


Roe

 

[gdogs]

Markings seem too sharp to be a painted finish. Looks to me like this one has been hard chromed.

 

[k22fan]

One stainless “model 18” was built but it was stamped model 65. (SCSW) I keep an eye out for it at pawn shops and garage sales. Wish me luck.

The seller of the 18-4 in the linked auction (a forum no-no!) does not mention a refinish which is unethical but not fraud because they do not claim original finish. They also do not suggest the 18 is stainless. I have had a few store clerks stand still with their mouths shut after handing me guns tagged with expensive collector prices. They left it up to me to notice the guns were recently assembled out of mismatched parts and or refinished. I looks to me like that is the sales strategy being used here. Always be extremely suspicious of a refinish when offered an old gun with none of the usual wear marks.

The color of the 18-4 in the linked auction is wrong for both hard chrome and satin nickel. Tally one more vote for paint.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

It looks pretty good in the pictures.
But I need to see it in person before I start counting out the Benjamin's!

 

[Sconnie]

It looks pretty good in the pictures.
But I need to see it in person before I start counting out the Benjamin's!

Actually until now I was unaware that posting a link to the auction was a no no but it was purely for others to see why I was asking.

Like I said before, I have never bought online and seriously doubt I would since I much prefer to take ahold of it before I hand over any amount of money. Never have been a fan of the bead blast look. I like bright and shiny things or a deep blue.

I appreciate the comments.

 

[gdogs]

The color of the 18-4 in the linked auction is wrong for both hard chrome and satin nickel. Tally one more vote for paint.

I've got a couple of hard chromed pistols that match that color perfectly, but mainly I've never seen a painted finish that left all the markings that sharp. To my eye, this is a plated finish.

 

[b_san]

The seller of the 18-4 in the linked auction (a forum no-no!) does not mention a refinish which is unethical but not fraud because they do not claim original finish. They also do not suggest the 18 is stainless. I have had a few store clerks stand still with their mouths shut after handing me guns tagged with expensive collector prices. They left it up to me to notice the guns were recently assembled out of mismatched parts and or refinished. I looks to me like that is the sales strategy being used here. Always be extremely suspicious of a refinish when offered an old gun with none of the usual wear marks.

Well the seller does list it as "in EXCELLENT clean condition, 98 % or better and appear to have been shot very little" which is intentionally misleading at best and fraud at worst if he has any idea of what it's supposed to look like originally. And of course every item he's listing is described like that so caveat emptor and I'd walk away from all of his listings myself.