Removing chrome

[Aragorn243]

Anyone have any luck removing chrome from bayonets?

I've seen a few around I wouldn't mind having but they've been chromed and the chrome is pretty unsightly, flaking, missing, etc.

I've read about home remedies like baking soda, bleach and oven cleaner that will take it off but wondering what the end result looks like.

Is it worth the effort?

Information

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[browningautorifle]

I've had it done professionally. There's an acid used that I'm sure someone will name shortly. It worked well enough but whatever problems were underneath in the beginning will be back. Depends how scarce the bayonet.

[Johnny Peppers]

Be sure the bayonets haven't been buffed unmercifully before the chrome was applied before you go to a lot of trouble.

[Aragorn243]

I suppose what's underneath is the big problem. Did someone chrome it thinking they would improve it or was it a legit military dress uniform chrome job.

I'm not deliberately looking for chromed bayonets but there is one in particular that is a rare bayonet that has the worst looking chrome remains I've ever seen. If the price is right, I'd like to clean it up. Chrome is about 30%.

I spotted a very nice looking Argentine bayonet that the chrome didn't look bad on that I probably would not remove but then again, the price is too high for me to seriously consider the purchase. I might try to bargain with him on it.

I've run into a few over the years that the chrome just turns me off. Prices are generally cheap but they just didn't look like something I want to add to my collection. If the chrome comes off, maybe.

[Aragorn243]

Well, I hope it comes off. Took a chance on a chromed Italian folding carcano bayonet. Got it for about a third what they have been selling for but even at that, a bit pricey. Wood looks good from what I can see and the metal doesn't look bad either, just an ugly mix of chrome/not chrome.

I should get it in a week.

[Aragorn243]

Bayonet came today. Not chromed at all, just stained in spots. Everything works great on it, has a good scabbard but the "good" wood grips turned out to be bakelite and I haven't seen any of these with bakelite grips so probably someones project. Carl mentions an American firm refurbishing these and perhaps this is one of those. Blade is all scratched up, scratches on other metal parts in spots.

The odd thing about the grips is they look as old as the bayonet, they are also very well made although quite a bit heavier than what the wood grips are. Screw holes are much larger and have been filled with soldier.

Metal handle is marked "CG" in an oval with some sort of crest stamped under it. Serial number "B27882. No bluing anywhere, in the white. Looks like some attempt was made to thin the point a bit on the top. Scabbard has no marks that I can see. Is the belt loop type, no dents, slightly chipped gloss black paint over a red/brown primer.

[Peter Laidler]

Did you ever discover how to remove the chrome Aragorn? We face a similar problem here with the last 6" of a sword bladebeing pitted and with rust spots inder the chrome after being left in a wet scabbard by some dozy Officer. Oooooooops, sorry....... The Officer wouldn't have done it of course...., maybe it was his batman! Anyway, it looks like a partial re-chrome.

What about a fine blasting of sorts. Anyone got any ideas/views on this?

[Aragorn243]

Peter,

My chrome experiments were to begin with this bayonet that doesn't have any chrome on it so I haven't learned anything new that I know works.

Here's the website of the various home remedies:

How to Remove Chrome Plating: 9 steps - wikiHow

[nzl1a1collector]

Did you ever discover how to remove the chrome Aragorn? We face a similar problem here with the last 6" of a sword bladebeing pitted and with rust spots inder the chrome after being left in a wet scabbard by some dozy Officer. Oooooooops, sorry....... The Officer wouldn't have done it of course...., maybe it was his batman! Anyway, it looks like a partial re-chrome.

What about a fine blasting of sorts. Anyone got any ideas/views on this?

Just take the Bayonet, Scabbard, Shell Case, Bumper, Car Trim etc along to your local electroplating company and they can reverse the process and in your case Peter re-plate it afterwards. Like others have said if your removing the plating you are left with whatever is underneath.