Nickel Model 18-2

[younggun22]

Swung by the LGS this afternoon and they had a couple of new S&W's in the case. A 2.5in Mod 19-4 and a Nickel Model 18-2.

The mod 19 is going home with me but the nickel gun stayed.

We're Model 18-2's made in nickel? It doesn't appear to be a refinish as the side plate seams are nice and tight but there is also no N stamp on the cylinder and no N stamp on the frame… was that process stopped at some point?

 

[Breadman1]

From what I understand they did make them in nickel, I've never seen one in the wild, I would have grabbed it if it was nice and the price was right.

How Much were they asking?

 

[younggun22]

Price was good and it was wearing a set of Diamond Targets

 

[VaTom]

Swung by the LGS this afternoon and they had a couple of new S&W's in the case. A 2.5in Mod 19-4 and a Nickel Model 18-2.

The mod 19 is going home with me but the nickel gun stayed.

We're Model 18-2's made in nickel? It doesn't appear to be a refinish as the side plate seams are nice and tight but there is also no N stamp on the cylinder and no N stamp on the frame… was that process stopped at some point?

SWSC 4th Edition, Page 217 under Model 18: K-22 Combat Masterpiece. Variations -"Nickel finish not cataloged, but produced, 75% premium"

If a good price you ought to go back for the nickel M18 !!!

 

[moonsterman]

snag it or tell me where it is so I can!!

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. younggun, what is the "good price." Plus it had diamond stocks.

 

[younggun22]

My concern here is that the finish is original. The lack of N stamp on the frame is my real concern

That being said I called the shop and told them to put it behind the counter with the model 19 for me.

 

[ralph7]

Price was good and it was wearing a set of Diamond Targets

Why beat around the bush?

 

[younggun22]

Why beat around the bush?

Honestly? Cause I don't exactly remember!

 

[lihpster]

Some common things to look for in a factory nickel finish. The extractor star should be blued, not nickel. The hammer and trigger should be case hardened, not nickel. These often get nickeled in a refinish.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. gun, good phone call. I have seen some nickel guns with no N stamp that letter as factory nickel. Just look at the plate seam, dished screw holes and smeared stampings. Also the hammer, trigger and rear sight should not be nickeled. If the gun looks like a 1958 Pontiac bumper, than it is not factory. Stay in touch. We wont steer you wrong.

 

[Peak53]

If that nickel finish turns out to be factory true, I'd say you picked the wrong gun. The lack of the N is a concern. Take another look.

 

[Retired W4]

The lack of the N's would concern me as well. The K diamond targets, if in high condition, are worth a couple hundred any way. Look for blue extractor star and...well, look it over closely. A factory nickel 18-2 would be a great find. I've never seen one. I hope some of our resident experts will chime in on what S&W was doing back in the 1960's with those guns, like how many nickel are out there and who they were shipped to. Good luck.

A couple of them beat me to it.

 

[paplinker]

I believe the front sight on a Model 18-2 should be blued. Dash 3 guns are generally nickel-ed.

 

[younggun22]

Mr. gun, good phone call. I have seen some nickel guns with no N stamp that letter as factory nickel. Just look at the plate seam, dished screw holes and smeared stampings. Also the hammer, trigger and rear sight should not be nickeled. If the gun looks like a 1958 Pontiac bumper, than it is not factory. Stay in touch. We wont steer you wrong.

Seams look factory tight. One of the first things that I always look for! The gun is FILTHY.

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[Thiokol]

Maybe it's just the poor photo but the screw holes looked dished which would indicate a refinish.

 

[younggun22]

Maybe it's just the poor photo but the screw holes looked dished which would indicate a refinish.

They didn't appear dished to me I just think the gun is filthy and the pictures are terrible. Also the side plate seam is so tight I would think the plate seam would also be wonky if the screw holes were dished.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I have a nickel 18. It WAS blue. Sent it back to Smith in the 70's and had it nickeled. Has blue extractor...Came with smooth rosewood target grips. I installed RR/WO and Ranger trigger/target hammer....I have never saw another.

 

[stansdds]

Seams look factory tight. One of the first things that I always look for! The gun is FILTHY.

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Would love to see more pictures. The thing that strikes me are the roll marks, they are very sharp, very crisp, and deep. Roll mark edges usually get rounded and the entire marking ends up less deep as a result of the polishing that occurs before nickel plating. My intuition says this one is legit or someone spent a whole lot of money making it look like a factory plating. This one may warrant spending another $100 for a letter.

 

[Retired W4]

I hope you get it for a good price, get the letter and find out it's original. If it's factory, you're golden. If not, you have a nice shooter 18. I think I'd place that bet.