gnappi
Member
Does anyone know if there are any doing nickle plating who can re-nickle a 1960's S&W barrel that will look as good as the original plating? If so who?
Who can re-nickle
- Thread starter gnappi
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bamabiker
Member
Ford's Custom Gun Refinishing | Crystal River, FL
You can try these guys. I have not used them and have read different opinions on how good they are.
You can try these guys. I have not used them and have read different opinions on how good they are.
lppd4
Member
I have used fords to strip the chrome playing off of a model 28 and then to reblue it. They did a great job. Was not a quick turnaround and their work wasn't cheap but the gun looks fantastic
Crew Leader
Member
When Dad passed away, I inherited a mid 60's model 36 he had carried after retirement. All the scrubbing and polishing I could do did not revive the factory nickel. I sent the gun back to Smith & Wesson and had a complete refinish done. Long story short here.....they did an amazing job on it. The gun now literally looks brand new. I would highly recommend the Smith & Wesson shop for any finish work on a Smith & Wesson. The process is longer than a simple blue job, but believe me, the wait is well worth it. I would not suggest doing just part of the gun. It will never match the rest.
Jcon72
Member
Unfortunately S&W no longer offers nickel-plating services.
Fords nickel is superb.
Be prepared to wait, their services are in high demand
Be prepared to wait, their services are in high demand
Model 18 factory reblue
I called the factory a few years back about rebluing a Model 18 that was given to my wife. It wasn't too bad but she wanted no blemishes on it...no matter how small. The guy I talked to...I wish I could remember his name, told me they would be more than happy to do it but it won't be near the quality of the deep blue they used to do. Actually he talked me out of it. Glad he did!
I called the factory a few years back about rebluing a Model 18 that was given to my wife. It wasn't too bad but she wanted no blemishes on it...no matter how small. The guy I talked to...I wish I could remember his name, told me they would be more than happy to do it but it won't be near the quality of the deep blue they used to do. Actually he talked me out of it. Glad he did!
S&W changed from carbona blue to liquid penetrating blue for all models by mid-1981, so they have been using it for over forty-two years. The liquid process does produce a slightly darker/blacker color than carbona blue, but if a revolver is highly polished before being blued, it will look great. I have several 44 Magnums that were either reblued or built after 2000; the finish and color are superb.
The Model 29-10 shown below was built for me in 2010. Click on the photo for a better look.
Bill
The Model 29-10 shown below was built for me in 2010. Click on the photo for a better look.
Bill
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Fords has been around a long time and have a good reputation. Yes, I have seen a few complaints but the internet attracts complainers like honey attracts bears. I suspect for every complaint there have been hundreds of satisfied customers. If I ever decide to have a gun refinished, they will be the first place I look.
A good finish is all about the polish job done before the bluing or plating takes place. Either process brings out the flaws in the metal, so polishing is the the most important part of the process. At a plant I used to work, their process on parts (not firearms) was to polish, then copper plate, nickle plate and finish with chrome plating. The end product was literally like a mirror but required commercial equipment too costly for use with firearms. That didn't stop us from occasionally running parts through the process.
A good finish is all about the polish job done before the bluing or plating takes place. Either process brings out the flaws in the metal, so polishing is the the most important part of the process. At a plant I used to work, their process on parts (not firearms) was to polish, then copper plate, nickle plate and finish with chrome plating. The end product was literally like a mirror but required commercial equipment too costly for use with firearms. That didn't stop us from occasionally running parts through the process.
Turnbull Restoration is another option you may want to check.
They did a gun for me previously and the work was outstanding.
Good luck with your project.
They did a gun for me previously and the work was outstanding.
Good luck with your project.
Gripgrabber
US Veteran
I have many guns done by APW accurate plating and weaponry,
I never had a problem with them. Check out their website.
Semper paratus
I never had a problem with them. Check out their website.
Semper paratus
nipperdog
Member
check out fords finishing in Florida
38/44 Nickeled by Fords
This HD was nickeled by Fords about 10 years ago. I have read the original owner may have retired since then.
They did a good job, however it is not a restoration. Just made an old gun pretty. They did touch up the logo...really not sure of the process and its easy to discern its not a factory roll mark. Maybe some kind of laser etching? Its not perfect as far as replicating the nuances of original nickel. The front of the thumb release is polished and it should not be. I did ask them NOT to nickel the ejector and they did not. It was left in blue. I asked them to not nickel the trigger and hammer. I always planned to get them re-CCH just have not got around to it. All in all its a nice job but again not a restoration. No collector value but I enjoy it.
Those are grashorn no bark elk horn grips...
This HD was nickeled by Fords about 10 years ago. I have read the original owner may have retired since then.
They did a good job, however it is not a restoration. Just made an old gun pretty. They did touch up the logo...really not sure of the process and its easy to discern its not a factory roll mark. Maybe some kind of laser etching? Its not perfect as far as replicating the nuances of original nickel. The front of the thumb release is polished and it should not be. I did ask them NOT to nickel the ejector and they did not. It was left in blue. I asked them to not nickel the trigger and hammer. I always planned to get them re-CCH just have not got around to it. All in all its a nice job but again not a restoration. No collector value but I enjoy it.
Those are grashorn no bark elk horn grips...
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