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  1. #1
    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
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    chrome plated parts?

    This one is advertised as having chrome bottom metal and bolt. Does this look like chrome plating? I've seen worn chrome before, generally a bit yellowish when the nickel underplating shows through, but mirror bright in the unworn areas. This looks like polished steel that hasn't been cleaned in a long time, perhaps tarnished by decades of fingerprints. Thoughts?
    Attachment 116773
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    Last edited by ssgross; 04-21-2021 at 01:03 PM.

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    I don't think so, if it were in the white it would rust with the fingerprints, mine would anyway. I still think it's chrome that hasn't been cared for, it'll rust like that too. Look at car bumpers...over time.
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
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    Thanks. Perhaps it was a "good" plating job initially then, and my reference points have all been cheap jobs. Then again I'm no expert. I suppose I could polish away the plating on the bottom metal, but the bolt would have to send out to have it removed professionally so there is no change to its fit.
    but wait...is that light surface rust on the floor plate? or tarnish from the plating layers?

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    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
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    here is the bolt...may be a more definitive reference. The yellow could be dried grease/oil or could be the under-plating showing through.
    Attachment 116774

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    Contributing Member Singer B's Avatar
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    I'm sure it is pretty but too bad they did that to a P-14/P-17. Whatever it is, I would have it removed and returned to its original finish. The collector value is already minimized by the current plating. Returning it to its original finish would at least allow you to label it as "refurbished." Plus, it will look awesome!

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    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
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    Oh, If I get it, I sure will be removing the plating. I've brought back a few 1903 sporters that had bolt bodies polished and in the white. A couple I left white but fixed the neglected metal by polishing to mirror bright again. On one the bolt body was fine the extractor claw was pretty bad and ugly...so I cleaned it up and polished away the pitting. It looked so nice against the blued bolt I left it.
    Some sources report the USMC marksmanship team had highly polished receiver rail, highly polished and blued bolt and bottom metal, highly polished extractor. The picture in at least one book looked like the extractor was in the white, all else blued. Meh.

    Fit and function are of primary importance, and in my mind at least allowing myself some liberties at the end in the finish preserves some of its service "history", including perhaps some reference to its years spent as a sporter. It doesn't really change the value of a parts queen, but makes me smile when I pull it out of the safe and take it to the range.

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    Quote Originally Posted by ssgross View Post
    here is the bolt
    I still think that's plated... If you get it just take a swipe with cold blue in a wide open place and see. You can always re polish it after.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member jamie5070's Avatar
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    A little late, I have a similar 1917, but the plating is in great shape. I had planned on having it removed and the reparked, (mine is a late eddystone), but it kind of grew on me. Now I have
    a shortened and full length plated bayonets, to go with it.

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    Contributing Member ssgross's Avatar
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    I passed on this one...the price went to $600 when I stopped watching. I bailed out far earlier.

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