1858 nickel VS blued?

witmen · September 16, 2009, 12:23 PM

Hello everyone,

This is my first post in a long time. But I was wanting some opinions. In the next day or two I might be buying a '58 bp revolver. I have my choice between two, one nickel one blued. Both the same brand and caliber. The current owner claims that neither one has ever been fired. and he is wanting $185 for each.

They both without a doubt look brand new.

So what would you do? I've heard that with nickel it's possible to get a nickel plated brass frame. I'd rather not have a brass frame if it's possible. so any way I can check and tell if it's a nickel plated brass frame?

Will the nickel look good for longer? I have no problems with cleaning them, It's something I actually really enjoy. But I like the look of nickel just not sure how long it will stay looking good on a BP.

Thanks

arcticap · September 16, 2009, 12:42 PM

Test the frame of the nickel gun with a magnet.
What brand are they?
If you look at the date code which are usually 2 letters in a box stamped on the frame you can find out the year of production.

https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/P...Proofmarks.pdf

witmen · September 16, 2009, 12:47 PM

So if it's steel the Magnet should for sure stick? They don't make any frames that are not magnetic?

Thanks,

Doc Hoy · September 16, 2009, 02:59 PM

Buy them both. (Offer a little less for a package deal. He'll take it.) Then shoot the heck out of the blued steel job. Save the nickel one cause it is so purdy.

Hawg · September 16, 2009, 04:01 PM

I'd go with blue just because none were originally available in nickel. However I do have one that's CCH with checkered grips and they weren't originally available that way either.

Get what you like.

okiefarmer · September 16, 2009, 04:07 PM

Witmen,

Me thinks what arcticap is referring to is the fact that many nickel plated guns are not plated over steel frames but more often plated over brass frames. In which case, a magnet would not stick.

Kapisch

sundance44s · September 16, 2009, 06:32 PM

Not ever produced in nickel finish ??

Wait a min ...the 1858 Remington was sold all the way up untill 1875 .
Not only could you buy one nickel plated but you could get it with the new fangled cartridge conversion .

Hawg · September 16, 2009, 07:20 PM

I stand corrected. A few were nickel plated and some were even case hardened.

witmen · September 16, 2009, 08:12 PM

But I don't have to worry about the nickel plating flaking off? I've never actually owned a nickel or anything plated firearm. I've always had blued or stainless.

Is $185 a good price for them?

Thanks everyone

robhof · September 16, 2009, 09:29 PM

For an unfired or one that looks unfired; well maintained, $185 is a steal on todays market, especially if he's local and a private individual; no sales tax and no shipping fee, usually adding another $40 to $50 to the price. Even the brassers usually fetch $175 and nickeled they fetch $40 more, if in good shape.

arcticap · September 16, 2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

But I don't have to worry about the nickel plating flaking off?

You could worry about it but you wouldn't need to if you didn't buy it.

Can you give us any other information about them?

September 16, 2009, 12:23 PM	#1
witmen Member Join Date: September 9, 2004 Location: INDIANA Posts: 24	1858 nickel VS blued? Hello everyone, This is my first post in a long time. But I was wanting some opinions. In the next day or two I might be buying a '58 bp revolver. I have my choice between two, one nickel one blued. Both the same brand and caliber. The current owner claims that neither one has ever been fired. and he is wanting $185 for each. They both without a doubt look brand new. So what would you do? I've heard that with nickel it's possible to get a nickel plated brass frame. I'd rather not have a brass frame if it's possible. so any way I can check and tell if it's a nickel plated brass frame? Will the nickel look good for longer? I have no problems with cleaning them, It's something I actually really enjoy. But I like the look of nickel just not sure how long it will stay looking good on a BP. Thanks

September 16, 2009, 02:59 PM	#4
Doc Hoy Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2008 Location: Naples, Fl Posts: 5,440	I got it! I got it! Buy them both. (Offer a little less for a package deal. He'll take it.) Then shoot the heck out of the blued steel job. Save the nickel one cause it is so purdy. __________________ Seek truth. Relax. Take a breath.

September 16, 2009, 09:29 PM	#10
robhof Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2007 Posts: 712	robhof For an unfired or one that looks unfired; well maintained, $185 is a steal on todays market, especially if he's local and a private individual; no sales tax and no shipping fee, usually adding another $40 to $50 to the price. Even the brassers usually fetch $175 and nickeled they fetch $40 more, if in good shape.

September 16, 2009, 12:42 PM	#2
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Test the frame of the nickel gun with a magnet. What brand are they? If you look at the date code which are usually 2 letters in a box stamped on the frame you can find out the year of production. https://store.bluebookinc.com/Info/P...Proofmarks.pdf

September 16, 2009, 12:47 PM	#3
witmen Member Join Date: September 9, 2004 Location: INDIANA Posts: 24	So if it's steel the Magnet should for sure stick? They don't make any frames that are not magnetic? Thanks,

September 16, 2009, 04:01 PM	#5
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I'd go with blue just because none were originally available in nickel. However I do have one that's CCH with checkered grips and they weren't originally available that way either. Get what you like.

September 16, 2009, 04:07 PM	#6
okiefarmer Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 381	Witmen, Me thinks what arcticap is referring to is the fact that many nickel plated guns are not plated over steel frames but more often plated over brass frames. In which case, a magnet would not stick. Kapisch

September 16, 2009, 06:32 PM	#7
sundance44s Senior Member Join Date: February 6, 2006 Location: Hernando , Ms. Posts: 579	Not ever produced in nickel finish ?? Wait a min ...the 1858 Remington was sold all the way up untill 1875 . Not only could you buy one nickel plated but you could get it with the new fangled cartridge conversion .

September 16, 2009, 07:20 PM	#8
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	I stand corrected. A few were nickel plated and some were even case hardened.

September 16, 2009, 08:12 PM	#9
witmen Member Join Date: September 9, 2004 Location: INDIANA Posts: 24	But I don't have to worry about the nickel plating flaking off? I've never actually owned a nickel or anything plated firearm. I've always had blued or stainless. Is $185 a good price for them? Thanks everyone