Removing Chrome or Nickel plating?

[John762]

Gentlemen I have a few question and am open to some opinions.

I have a few M1 bayonets that have been chromed/nickeled, honestly I think its something of a mix, some are chrome and some are nickel.

First question is there a definitive way to tell the difference other than nickel isnt as reflective?

 

Second, does anyone here have any firsthand experience removing the plating? Im familiar with blasting it off and that isnt something that I want to do. Ive looked into the chemical strippers and Im thinking that might be the way to go but Id like some experienced opinions.

 

Ive read mixed opinions about removing the underlying layer of copper by using chemical or electrolysis (I think) or blasting. Obviously I want to use the least destructive process as possible, again, any experience with this?

 

Just for the record none of the plated bayonets I have are in that fabulous condition, 1 of them is probably nice enough to be left as is and I will do just that. The one Im most interested in saving is a M1 PAL manufactured as a 10 AND dated 1943. Im almost positive its nickel plated and most of the plating on the handle and barrel ring is gone so I dont feel like Im damaging any history. I would like to restore them to their original condition and I do have a fair amount of experience in Parkerizing/phosphating firearms so I dont see a problem with these.

 

As always experienced opinions and input is welcome and appreciated!

[72psb]

Well you maybe successful or not in removing the plating. Plating can be removed by a plating shop with no destruction to the underlying metal. Nickel is a white to yellow color and chrome is more bluish. If there is a copper under coat,chances are you will play heck getting all of it off. I have had motorcycle parts stripped professionally,then sand blasted and wire wheeled then I parkerized them. The copper still showed up in many areas.

Good luck

[hbtcoveralls]

My experience was also with motorcycle parts and The plating did mostly come off, but it was expensive to do (I had it done at a chrome plating shop and they cleaned it chemically) and the results weren't a good as I had hoped. With your bayonets I'd also be concerned that they may have been wire wheeled before plating which might mean they may not be in good condition once stripped.

Tom Bowers

[Bill in VA]

Leave it. You'll do more damage trying to remove the plating than you'll ever get from " restoring" the blades. Remember too, many of those plated bayonets are legitimate variations, plated by the military, and not Bubba, for honor guard and parade use. I have a few plated ones in my collection, and one of variations I'm currently chasing is a nickled/chromed Winchester mfg. M1917 - thepoint being, there IS a market for these. If you don't like/want them, sell them and buy something more to your taste.

My .02

[John762]

Leave it. You'll do more damage trying to remove the plating than you'll ever get from " restoring" the blades. Remember too, many of those plated bayonets are legitimate variations, plated by the military, and not Bubba, for honor guard and parade use. I have a few plated ones in my collection, and one of variations I'm currently chasing is a nickled/chromed Winchester mfg. M1917 - thepoint being, there IS a market for these. If you don't like/want them, sell them and buy something more to your taste.

My .02

I appreciate your opinion and if they were in better condition I would do that but flaking or rusted chrome or nickel isn't my thing. On top of that not knowing when, where or why they were plated doesn't add anything to them. YMMV

I have a M1917 that's plated also, IIRC it's one of the better ones.