Refinishing an old S&W .38

[Patrolman971]

Greeting and Merry Christmas All,

I own a S&W Model of 1905 4th Change that my dad gave me recently. It was nickel plated from the factory ( I think ) and it is starting to show it's age. I was wondering if any one could recommend a company to refinish it. The local gun shop told me it isn't worth refinishing, based on market value. It only has sentimental value. I find this to be especially interesting, the first two digits in the SN are the same as the year my dad was born, the last two are the same as the year my mom was born and one of the patent dates is the same as my birthday.

 

[Jim K]

There is no feasible way to "replate" over old plating; the old plate will have to be removed. The best way to do that would be to use the reverse process, something that can be done by any plating shop.

Once the old plating is removed, the gun can be polished and then either reblued or re-nickel plated.

Most shops that do gun plating/re-plating want the gun shipped dis-assembled, so if you can't do that, it might be best to let a gunsmith handle the transaction. He can disassemble the gun, ship it off for plating (very few gunsmiths do that work) then re-assemble it when it comes back.

As to a plating shop, I have no recommendation, though others might. A Google search on "nickel plating guns" turns up several shops, but I have no way of knowing anything about their work. Once you look over their web sites, you can call for pricing.

Jim

 

[SaxonPig]

I have seen good work from Ford's refinishing and Accurate Plating.

As you know, the cost will exceed the value of the gun but if you want to do it I can recommend the above outfits.

 

[Steve C]

It would be worth your time to give S&W a call at 1-800-331-0852 to discuss what they would charge to refinish the pistol.

 

[krs]

+1

S&W does still have the capability of refinishing their nickle plated revolvers. A guy I see in another forum bought one of the new Model 29 'Classic' models in nickel and the finish was completely unsatisfatory. He sent it back and they did a beautiful job before returning it to him.

the question of why they didn't do the good work first time around remains, but their ability and facility to do a nice job is established.

 

[SigfanUSAF]

www.oldwestgunsmith.com

 

[SaxonPig]

WOW!

Starting at $350?

 

[Old Fuff]

Starting at $350?

Which considering the amount of careful hand polishing that may have to done, it might not be unreasonable.

It's also one reason Smith & Wesson doesn't make like they used to anymore.

 

[woad_yurt]

If S&W doesn't still stock parts for it, they won't touch it. I have an old one and that's what they said. In other words, they won't deal with anything that they don't still deal with any more.

 

[PRM]

S&W does refer individuals with older vintage guns to David Chicoine at www.oldwestgunsmith.com

Dave has been working on my guns for close to 30 years now. Today, I don't use anyone else. Check out his website, he is also one of the most respected authors on vintage guns in today's market.

 

[ironvic]

Oh, I don't know about the so-called low value of your 'Smith. Sentimental value is prime above all else and it would be well worth the cost to get that baby back in service so it can do its job for decades to come.

 

[Oro]

If S&W won't do it, the next two I'd suggest are the same as SaxonPig. I've had plating done by APW (accurate plating and weaponry/Coogan Custom Shop), and it's always been excellent. I've seen flawless work from Ford's, but never sent any of my guns there (yet).

I suggest checking S&W first - the work I've seen from them is very, very good, and as collectors go, it's preferred if it's a factory re-do than aftermarket. While the standard M&P doesn't have a tremendous collector value, your son might appreciate that it was factory-redone 50 years from now.

 

[madcratebuilder]

Hard to justify putting 300+ in a 150 dollar gun. Here is my safety hammerless with dura coat covering badly worn nickle.