Is This Colt Cobra Nickel Original??

[45shooter]

I saw a 3rd generation Colt Cobra today which has me intrigued.
It is supposedly a factory nickel plated Colt Cobra exactly as original. I only had few minutes to look at it but here is what I noticed:

1. It was 3rd generation model based on the barrel profile
2. On the frame, below the serial number was a letter “N” stamped. Does that "N" stand for nickel finish?
3. It had a factory rubber grip (Pachmyer made) with the Colt medal. I don't think Cobra ever came with rubber grips but I may be wrong.
4. The finish is bright nickel or maybe chromed. Even the hammer and trigger had that bright finish. I've never seen a Colt factory nickel finished revolver and this one looked nothing lilke what I see on S&W revolvers these days. It looked sorta like polished stainless finish I once saw on Python.

Six or seven people saw the revolver and about 3 people said it was chromed while 4 people thought it was bright nickel finish. If I’m not mistaken aren’t all Colt factory nickel guns come with blued hammer and trigger? Owner was trying to sell it for $450 which I thought was a reasonable price if it really is a factory nickel finish. He said the pistol is exactly as he originally got it including the grip and the finish except the missing box.

What do you guys think?
Real nickel finish or chromed?

Worth $450?????

 

[XavierBreath]

It sure sounds like a real deal factory Colt nickel job to me. The N would stand for nickel.

Pachmayer grips with Colt emblems were used on many nickel and stainless guns, even 1911s of that period.

I wasn't aware of a "third" generation Colt Cobra, only a second generation, but then, I don't know much.

S&W nickel guns have case colored hammers and triggers. Colts are nickeled.

Even though this revolver is nickel, I'd say the seller was a bit high on the price. If he still had the box and docs, then he might get $450. Without them, he's likely got a $350 gun in my opinion. Then again, Colt DA revolver prices are extremely volatile at present, and nobody knows where they will settle. In a year, $450 for this gun might seem like Grand Theft.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

If the lettering on the barrel looks sharp and clear and not blurry (from the polishing burnishing the edges or from the plating filling it in), it is most likely factory. And on the nickeled Colts I've seen, the hammer and trigger are also plated.

 

[jetman]

I have a nickel Cobra similar to the one you are describing, but mine is new in the box. Mine has the original wooden grips and the hammer and trigger are both nickeled as well. If you remove the grips a nickel gun has a shiny grip frame the same as the rest of the pistol, and has the N stamped on it as well. A stainless gun is only polished above the grip area, and will be a duller finish underneath the grips. Colt never chrome plated their guns but the nickel is just as shiny as a chrome type finish or polished stainless. Here are a couple pics of it.

 

[45shooter]

Jetman,

The Cobra I saw today looks very similar to yours except for the rubber grip. Does your revolver have that "N" letter stamped under the serial number on the frame? Does that letter "N" mean nickel finish?

 

[mnw42]

The "N"

I have a 2nd issue, factory nickeled Cobra and it has a "R" under the s/n on the frame. I think that mark is a manufacturing mark of some kind. I have been told that guns with an additional "T" stamped near the s/n were test fired at the factory.

My gun came with walnut stock that I quickly changed out for compact rubber grips (basically Pachmyer without the emblem). The fat, wood grips didn't fit my hand well at all. I have seen Cobras with the custom shop grips you describe, and they look fantastic! I'd love to have a set for mine!

Old Grips:

New Grips:

Those are Buffalo Bore standard pressure 158 gr GC-LSWCHPs, btw

 

[Ala Dan]

I'm NO expert by any stretch, but from your post I do believe that your gun
has a factory nickel finish. Keep in mind, that all nickel handguns have a
thin layer of copper, between the metal and the nickel plating; and if the
nickeling isn't done correctly,it will peel badly~!

 

[tackleberi]

Sweet nickel Colts, gentlemen.

I just wrote how much I regret getting rid of my DS.......salt in the wound, those pics are.

 

[whitebb]

I have 2 Nickel Detective specials. They both have the N stamped on the frame. As pointed out correctly before, the N does mean a factory nickel plate job.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by Ala Dan:
Keep in mind, that all nickel handguns have a thin layer of copper, between the metal and the nickel plating; and if the nickeling isn't done correctly,it will peel badly~!

Agreed, and also why, if you clean the bore and chambers with a copper solvent, to clean up any spatters that you may get on the exterior surfaces. It will penetrate the nickel and dissolve the copper plating (necessary for the nickel to adhere to) underneath, causing the plating to lift and peel off.