Found a great Smith and Wesson today

[farscott]

Some (if not most) nickel-plating processes use a copper substrate to bond the nickel. Hence solvents that work on copper aren’t a good idea.

Don’t quote me on this, but IIRC, S&Ws nickel plating process does not involve copper and is safe for most solvents.

That revolver dates from the era when S&W nickel finish was electroplated over a copper wash. Copper solvents of any type should not be used on that revolver. The only nickel finishes safe for copper solvents are ones that are plated with electroless nickel as that nickel finish variant does not require a copper wash coat. The copper solvent attacks electroplated nickel finishes by getting under the nickel and attacking the copper base coat.

When in doubt, use a CLP like Break-Free and avoid anything with ammonia or anything marketed as a copper solvent or cleaner.

[MatebaFan]

Love a good story, I love my dad's old model 19, I plan to hold onto it as a keepsake forever

Heres to good stories, good whiskey and good revolvers!

[OldFashioned]

Great story, enjoy your dad’s revolver

[Exiledviking]

That revolver dates from the era when S&W nickel finish was electroplated over a copper wash. Copper solvents of any type should not be used on that revolver. The only nickel finishes safe for copper solvents are ones that are plated with electroless nickel as that nickel finish variant does not require a copper wash coat. The copper solvent attacks electroplated nickel finishes by getting under the nickel and attacking the copper base coat.

When in doubt, use a CLP like Break-Free and avoid anything with ammonia or anything marketed as a copper solvent or cleaner.

Thanks for this information.
I just bought a used nickel-plated S&W 25-5 .45 Colt that's from the same era and it needs a good cleaning, so I'll stick with CLP only on it.