Nickel Plated Ejector Star

[Speedo2]

A question for the pre-war S&W experts:
I'm looking at an otherwise very nice 38DA top break (2nd model, I think) at my favorite shop today. Owner says that it's original finish....but the ejector star is nickeled and the serial number on the butt is kind of faint. I told the shop owner that those conditions suggest to me that the gun had been refinished. A minor argument ensued (...imagine that). My question: did S&W ever nickel plate the ejector stars on top breaks? I've got 3 old nickel plated top breaks (32 SA, 38 SA and 38 DA-Perfected) and all 3 have blued ejector stars, as do my few nickel plated post-war hand ejectors. I'm sort of coveting the gun in question, but would like to verify if it's been refinished before we enter into negotiations on price. Also, the latch and dual frame studs on the gun in question are blued; all mine are nickeled. Wasssupwidda latch posts, too? Thanks & Merry Christmas to all. -S2

 

[Speedo2]

A question for the pre-war S&W experts:
I'm looking at an otherwise very nice 38DA top break (2nd model, I think) at my favorite shop today. Owner says that it's original finish....but the ejector star is nickeled and the serial number on the butt is kind of faint. I told the shop owner that those conditions suggest to me that the gun had been refinished. A minor argument ensued (...imagine that). My question: did S&W ever nickel plate the ejector stars on top breaks? I've got 3 old nickel plated top breaks (32 SA, 38 SA and 38 DA-Perfected) and all 3 have blued ejector stars, as do my few nickel plated post-war hand ejectors. I'm sort of coveting the gun in question, but would like to verify if it's been refinished before we enter into negotiations on price. Also, the latch and dual frame studs on the gun in question are blued; all mine are nickeled. Wasssupwidda latch posts, too? Thanks & Merry Christmas to all. -S2

 

[mikepriwer]

I've never seen a nickeled extractor star, so I would have to guess that its
been redone. The faint butt serial number is also a red flag.

Whatever the gun is, don't pay too much for it. There isn't anything special
about it.

Later, Mike Priwer

 

[Speedo2]

Thanks Mike, your "guess" carries a lot of weight with me. -S2

 

[stumper]

I agree with Mike, have never seen a nickel extractor star on a 38 DA. The stars on most of the 44 DA that I have seen were nickel however. Even on the blued guns they were nickeled.

Sounds like one to shy away from if you are looking for an original. I just had to return one last week that I bought over the internet as an original. It had been redone at the factory and so marked with the star and date. Most likely I will be out two way shipping because of the seller's "error"!