Thoughts On Gold(?) Plated 4th Model? - Jinks Letter Update

[TomJohn]

Please go to post #18 for the update:

I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this S&W 32 top-break 4th model (SN-2177XX). It is plated on everything except the trigger guard, trigger, and hammer. The medallions in the mother-of-pearl grips are plated as well. It doesn't look 'exactly' like gold-plating, as it has a slightly brassy tint, which could just be age. Do you think this was some kind of production 'presentation' piece, or more likely an aftermarket job? I am curious as to whether anyone has run into this before.

Thanks

 

[TomJohn]

Sorry - I thought I was posting 3 photos. Let me try to post the other two...

 

[TomJohn]

Other pics:

 

[TomJohn]

Here's a larger pic - Sorry, I'm kinda new at posting pics....

 

[mmaher94087]

The plating could be either factory or aftermarket. In this case, I personally believe the plating was done by the factory as a special order. I would not purchase such a revolver and pay more than a normally priced piece without a factory letter telling me it was indeed a factory gold finish. Over the years there have been do-it-your-self kits for plating guns.

 

[TomJohn]

Thanks for the input, Mike. I didn't pay much for the gun and am just curious about the plating.

 

[merl67]

With the pearl grips and the unplated trigger, hammer, and trigger guard it very well could be original as these were usually plated when done outside the factory.

 

[Texas Star]

Would it be unusual for the factory to gold plate a gun not also engraved?


My exposure to antique S&Ws is pretty limited, but most I've seen pics of in gold were both engraved and plated.

 

[sw44russ]

First impression is it could well be Factory Finish; though it's hard to tell much from the fuzzy pictures.

A S&W Letter is your best bet without a first hand examination and even then it needs to be someone who knows S&Ws of this Era very well.

Nice looking 32.

 

[Breakaway500]

Doesn't look right to me..I'd need a closer look..really tough to tell on a finish like that it's so uncommon (to me at least)

 

[red9]

My Ladysmith is factory gold, not engraved, with medallion pearl stocks. The plating has aged to the same tint as yours. Definitely worth a letter.

Bob

 

[TomJohn]

Thanks, all, for your thoughts. The plating is in such rough shape (holster wear, scratches) I'm not sure it's worth a letter. Unless, of course, a letter would tell me if the gun was special ordered by an individual, and whom. I'm not sure I would get that kind of information.

 

[glowe]

A gold plated revolver that has a factory finish would likely have been sent to an individual and not a distributor. The cost is only $75 and will bring closure to all the speculation. It could have shipped to someone well known and that would be a big plus, or it could have shipped with a blue finish and you will have the answer. The letter is the only way to know for sure. The stocks are right for an early post-1900 gun and if I owned it, a letter would already be in the safe with the revolver.

 

[mmaher94087]

Gold plate is also a delicate finish. I have seen, otherwise near mint, gold finished, top breaks where overzealous rubbing/polishing has destroyed the value. No one ask, but I recommend leaving the finish alone.

 

[montezumaz]

Take it to your next barbecue.

 

[Iggy]

It would be interesting to know it's history.. Might be pretty durned interesting where that little rascal has been.

 

[TomJohn]

OK, you've got me considering a letter. If I do send for one I'll let you know the results.

 

[TomJohn]

Update: Well, I sent off for a "Letter" and got this reply, along with other info:

My revolver "was shipped from our factory on August 9, 1901 and delivered Corele Hardware Co., no address was listed. The records indicate that this revolver was shipped with 3 inch barrel, gold finish, and pearl grips". (Underlining mine)

So thanks to those of you who encouraged a letter - it verified that the finish came from the factory! I have done a brief search for Corele (not Corelle) Hardware Co., with no luck. If this name rings a bell for any of you I would appreciate hearing about it.

 

[opoefc]

....gold finish...? I have several S&W with gold treatment to their finishes, they letter in two ways = (1) gold plated, or (2) gold finish.) In comparing these revolvers it appears, in my opinion, that "gold finish" means a gold wash, not gold plated. Gold wash is very thin and can wear off in spots very easily, while gold plated seems more durable. Ed.

 

[TomJohn]

Ed - yeah, I think this is a wash rather than plating. I'm still happy to know it came from the factory this way rather than being done aftermarket. I'm also wondering if "Corele Hardware" isn't a misprint of "Cordele Hardware", since there is a town of Cordele about 30 miles from where I bought it.