3 screw flat top 357 Blackhawk

[AmericanSheepdog!]

I recently purchased this from a friend who acquired it after a death in the family. It is a three screw obviously and has not been converted. It does have the early 1959 serial number as you can see in the Photos. Also has the micro stamped sights. My question is probably obvious, but I assume this is an aftermarket plating? Some very faint “plum” coloring suggest it may be original, but I’d like to open it up to what you all think. Also the lanyard loop has me thinking this was all done aftermarket maybe in the 60s.

 

[GYJ44]

Looks more like chrome than nickel. Definitely all aftermarket work. Cool gun though.

 

[thinckley]

Interesting piece. Can't wait to hear from the experts.

 

[contender]

Welcome to the Forum!

The above posters are likely 100% correct about the finish. I think only a VERY, VERY few experimental guns from that era got test plated. The fact it has a lanyard ring adds to the feeling it was all done after it left the factory.

Next,, there was a guy, many years ago,, who had a bunch of his OM guns chrome plated. We nick-named him; "The Sultan of Shine"! He was out your way too.

 

[AmericanSheepdog!]

Thanks for the replies. This one came from Southern California.

 

[RoninPA]

Imagine what it would look like if it hadn't been plated. But, a fine looking revolver you now own. Enjoy it.

 

[303hunter]

I like the look! Definitely something you don’t see everyday.

 

[Neon Vernon]

I like it too, I'd be happy to pack that around.

 

[NH Rugerman]

There appears to be some very fine pinprick pitting under the finish on the frame, the plating may have been done to stop that from continuing and to provide a stable finish…just my opinion.

I like the look very much, wouldn’t mine having that in my collection a cool, old model flat top!

 

[chet15]

There was only one factory plated BKH-34 flattop.
And I know where it lurks....
Chet15

 

[Hondo44]

Was it chrome or nickel plating?

 

[Johnnu2]

I never met a Flattop that I didn't LOVE...............
I have one in 357 and one in 44 MAG....... My life is complete.

J.

 

[AmericanSheepdog!]

Well I’m in it 750 bucks. Anyone interested in making an offer or suggest its value? In plan to bring it to add to the inventory at the next gunshow.

 

[rugerguy]

welcome to the forum, and as noted above definitely aftermarket due to the color ,my guess is chrome, and the prep work beforehand leaves a lot fo be desired, reminds me of an old Colt 1911 my brother in law stationed out on the coast had done, I believe in Tijuana, lots of cross hash marks in the metal surface, still a nice piece, and back then LOTS of old guns ,mainly wartime bring homes were done in bumper shops across the country ,,,can always tell, as chrome is white and nickel is yellow.....again, nice piece, it is what it is, and would be a neat back packing ,trail gun.......

need to add for the term "coin nickel finish" is an electroplated or electroless coating applied to firearms for enhanced corrosion resistance, classic aesthetic appeal, and a slightly softer, yellow-tinted shine.
such as the Ruger 12 ga.,Red Label, Ken Hurst engraved shotguns of, I believe 1984 , the "Duck Stamp Edition", wish I kept a picture of that, they were beautiful

 

[GYJ44]

Well I’m in it 750 bucks. Anyone interested in making an offer or suggest its value? In plan to bring it to add to the inventory at the next gunshow.

Yeah, that's a good bit more than most are going to pay. In fact I've paid less for really nice original guns.

 

[drycreek]

If it’s a good shooter, I would keep it. I don’t know gun prices where you are, but you would lose money here.

 

[DGW1949]

Looks like chrome to me too....I have a similar gun which is nickle and it has a yellowish hue which doesn't appear on the gun in question. Plus, in my limited experience, nickle is prone to peeling off of aluminum gun parts. I don't see any of that here. I do see a small speck missing off of the front of the cylinder, but the ejector rod and grip frame look really good...much better than mine. On mine, the ejector rod housing began peeling first but the grip frame peeled the most. In spite of me having the shop which did the work do those two parts again, the problem persisted. I ended up replacing the plated grip frame with an XR3 that I simply polished brite, and much later, substituted a polished, stainless ejector rod housing from a NM Blackhawk. None of that matched as well as the parts on AmericanSheepDog!'s gun.

All in all, I think that the finish on AmericanSheepDog!'s old flattop looks purdy-good. The lanyard loop is a nice touch too. I've thought about putting one like it on mine, but it seems that I've always had more important fish to fry.

 

[Hondo44]

The alloy parts take the nickel plating much better if they are brass plated first.