All Smith guns sported case colored frames when originally shipped from the gunworks. If those same case colors are not protected, and the frame is not allowed to rust; those colors will eventualy fade and the alloys used in the frame steel itself will take on an almost "nickel plated" or "silvery" appearance. That said, it is not uncommon to see the occassional actual nickel-plated Smith gun, and it is even alledged by some that the gunworks arranged to have at least some guns nickel plated; but, until any such allegation can be authenticated beyond doubt, I will always consider such work "aftermarket". The one exception to the above statement would be the "Sousa Special" for which it was claimed by the old time factory workers that the gunworks arranged to have gold plated or gold washed. This gun has never surfaced to my knowledge; but it does exist somewhere, as I have seen old original black and white photos of the gun. Those photos do indicate something unusual, finish wise, on the frame; but the lack of color will not allow any firm conclusions to be drawn. If however, we may draw any conclusions from the finishes on the Sousa gun at all; I believe that conclusion would be that the gunworks would certainly entertain precious metals plating for a gun, but only if the purpose of that gun was to make a statement at an exhibition, or for someone considered a national treasure like JP Sousa (but even an example of a special gun would have had the frame hardened prior to plating). I personally find it extremely difficult to believe that the gunworks would have endorsed any plating of Field Grade/lower quality guns; and besides, the aftermarket nickel plated jobbies I have seen are hideous when compared to an example having original factory finishes.