Model 18-4
- Thread starter Scottly
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Apparently someone had it hard chromed. Dead giveaway are the hammer, trigger, and rear sight being hard chrome. I'm betting the ejector star on the cylinder is too. Nickel 18s are very, very rare.
twodog max
Member
The finish sort of looks like electroless nickel that was popular some time ago but I am not sure by any means. Reasonably sure it is not S&W done though.
I should probably mention that I cannot find any trace of blue on this gun. The finish appears to me to be for lack of the proper word--equal, over the entire piece. I see no difference from hammer to barrel to trigger. I am certainly no expert, after all that is why I am here, for help.
Looks like hard chrome to me too. I had a Python someone had hard chromed some years ago. Got it reasonably cheap because of the refinish. Hard chrome was about as durable as it got at the time and made a great finish for a carry gun.
I'm not sure how much it affects value, but consider it a good shooter grade.
I'm not sure how much it affects value, but consider it a good shooter grade.
03Fatboy
Member
Well. Hopefully you traded for something comparable in price for a refinish.
It looks like an aftermarket finish. Normally the trigger and hammer should be have a gray-blue-brown-black variegated appearance from case hardening. Regardless it is very attractive and looks to be in very good condition.
I'm an eternal optimist so maybe a little more investigating would be interesting.
What does it say on the frame opposite the yoke? Open the cylinder and look for a model number on the frame opposite the yoke. A picture would be helpful.
A picture of the end label of the box would be interesting.
What is the serial #. Look on the bottom of the butt.
In regards to the model 18 the SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson Third Edition) states seventeen were produced in stainless steel and marked Model 65 and all but one were destroyed.
After 1985 the Model 18 was designated the model 17 and the model 17 included both 4" and 6" barrels but none in stainless I recall.
It seems to me there may have been some 617's without a full underlug? FYI: A 617 is a stainless version of the model 17.
I'm an eternal optimist so maybe a little more investigating would be interesting.
What does it say on the frame opposite the yoke? Open the cylinder and look for a model number on the frame opposite the yoke. A picture would be helpful.
A picture of the end label of the box would be interesting.
What is the serial #. Look on the bottom of the butt.
In regards to the model 18 the SCSW (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson Third Edition) states seventeen were produced in stainless steel and marked Model 65 and all but one were destroyed.
After 1985 the Model 18 was designated the model 17 and the model 17 included both 4" and 6" barrels but none in stainless I recall.
It seems to me there may have been some 617's without a full underlug? FYI: A 617 is a stainless version of the model 17.
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g8rb8, I admire your optimism, but its shouldn't be wasted on this revolver. The OP sated in the original post that the revolver and box have the same serial number , in the 204K range. That makes it roughly a 1981 or 1982 gun, that's why it doesn't have a barrel pin. Its clearly a refinished 18.
Scotly, S&W didn't make stainless or nickel sights, nor did they put stainless or nickel hammer and triggers in model 18s. I guess its possible that someone swapped the trigger and hammer from a stainless K Frame and found a rear sight from a 1970 model 66, but that's very unlikely.
The logical explanation is someone had this revolver hard chromed. In the early and mid 80s a lot of people were sending guns to a company called Robar and getting them hard chromed or NP3 finished.
You didn't say if the ejector star was blue. I'm guessing that its the same finish as the gun. Another indicator.
Its more accurate to say that since the gun has been refinished the value is , rather than IF.
It's still a very attractive, useful version of a very popular revolver. I'd value it at $400.00 to $500.00. Possibly slightly more to someone who really wanted an carry and shooter K22.
Scotly, S&W didn't make stainless or nickel sights, nor did they put stainless or nickel hammer and triggers in model 18s. I guess its possible that someone swapped the trigger and hammer from a stainless K Frame and found a rear sight from a 1970 model 66, but that's very unlikely.
The logical explanation is someone had this revolver hard chromed. In the early and mid 80s a lot of people were sending guns to a company called Robar and getting them hard chromed or NP3 finished.
You didn't say if the ejector star was blue. I'm guessing that its the same finish as the gun. Another indicator.
Its more accurate to say that since the gun has been refinished the value is , rather than IF.
It's still a very attractive, useful version of a very popular revolver. I'd value it at $400.00 to $500.00. Possibly slightly more to someone who really wanted an carry and shooter K22.
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Lowriderfxr, you have cleared it up for me, and yes the ejector star is refinished also. I'm into it for a trade equal to $675
Its now decision time. Keep it and enjoy shooting it. Its look is very appealing to me, and feels great. Or let it go. I believe I can recover my investment without any trouble.
I do thank everyone for the info.
Its now decision time. Keep it and enjoy shooting it. Its look is very appealing to me, and feels great. Or let it go. I believe I can recover my investment without any trouble.
I do thank everyone for the info.
mrrick
Member
Keep it and shoot it. Heck with that finish, you can keep it in your tackle box.
I wouldn't be concerned about the refinish, it looks well done. Just enjoy it, while 18s aren't common, they aren't collectable, so it's of little consequence IMHO.
I wouldn't be concerned about the refinish, it looks well done. Just enjoy it, while 18s aren't common, they aren't collectable, so it's of little consequence IMHO.
Not an original factory finish. It is an aftermarket industrial hard chrome. The finish is very hard and tough and will withstand lots of hard wear. Unfortunately the value of the revolver was reduced by this application. S&W only had non-black adjustable sights on one revolver, the early Mod 66, and they corrected this mistake very shortly after introduction.
twodog max
Member
I would look at it like this if it were mine and that is it is a shooter all the way now so I would use it all I wanted but for sure would keep it.
There's a picture of a refinished,nickeled M18 on Ford's site. Very pretty; sometimes I think of getting mine done, but I'm too busy shooting it to send it off for the time necessary.
Did I say it was really, really pretty?
Did I say it was really, really pretty?
Lobster Picnic
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I would keep and enjoy it. Model 18s are scarce and some owners may be reluctant to take them into the field, especially in bad weather. Yours has no such limitations. You've got one of the all time best .22 handguns in a more rugged finish. Plus, I think it's very attractive just like it is.
Vulcan Bob
Member
I agree with the other replies that's a handsome looking revolver that will look great through hard use. I had my 1911 "race gun"frame refinished with the Armoloy finish back in the early 80's that looks very much like yours. It's seen a lot of hard use over the years and still looks like it was done yesterday. Enjoy it!
jimbo728
Member
Refinish or not, it is a very nice revolver. Keep it, shoot it and enjoy it.
Jim
Jim
I know it is a tough finish, my 19-4 has the same finish. But I instructed them to keep the sights & topstrap all black.
I really appreciate everybody's comments. I am leaning towards keeping it. I really love the look and style of it. I definitely do not regret getting it. Sure I had hoped it was rare and valuable. I do value it, as a great looking very usable weapon that's cheap to shoot. I must say it is my first S&W.
I think it is time to shop for a holster.
I think it is time to shop for a holster.
*UPDATE*
I took this 18-4 to a gun show today. I attend this show annually and remembered a guy who always has S&W and Colt's there for sale.
I priced the 18-4 for $1000 he offered 900. I told him no thanks and that I had not even been to other booths yet. He was aware that the gun had been refinished, seeming quite knowledgeable about S&W.
In short he paid me the $1000, and said he really liked the finish and that someone had done a really good job.
I had mixed emotions before going to the show, not sure still whether to keep it or not. I figured if I could get my price then I would let it go. I brought home a Beretta 92FS and lots of change, which made me feel a lot better.
I took this 18-4 to a gun show today. I attend this show annually and remembered a guy who always has S&W and Colt's there for sale.
I priced the 18-4 for $1000 he offered 900. I told him no thanks and that I had not even been to other booths yet. He was aware that the gun had been refinished, seeming quite knowledgeable about S&W.
In short he paid me the $1000, and said he really liked the finish and that someone had done a really good job.
I had mixed emotions before going to the show, not sure still whether to keep it or not. I figured if I could get my price then I would let it go. I brought home a Beretta 92FS and lots of change, which made me feel a lot better.
