I have four handguns with the polished nickel finish. One I inherited the other three I bought in the 1970's, IIRC you pretty much had the retail choice back then of blue or nickel, with SS just coming around.
My inherited nickel gun is a S&W revolver, the nickeling is OLD and some coming off in places. Long long ago it belonged to a leo in Memphis.
I have a nickeled Colt 1911, S&W Mod 19, and S&W Mod 36, the nickel still looks very good, pretty much LNIB. They are nice looking with wooden grips, though some sort of "fancy grips" might make them look cheap. Funny thing the dark muzzle end of the 1911 against that light nickel contrast makes it look really BIG BORE.