[Neobayer]

I bought a few Colt Python parts online. Specifically a 4" barrel and a cylinder assembly. I decided not to mess with re-barreling a Trooper and offered the parts for sale on eBay. Everybody keeps asking Nickel or chrome? I was told they were chrome. Now I'm not so sure. How can I tell. Are there markings?
The only hint I have is on the cylinder. In a place were there was some rubbing , I can see and undercoat of what looks like copper. Would that indicate Nickel?
I really can't tell by looking at the finish.

Thanks in advance

[Jim K]

AFAIK, Colt never chromed those guns; the finish should be nickel. (I am being cautious because there is a possibility of some after-market chrome plating.) It is hard to describe, but chrome has a bluish tinge, while nickel is "warmer" with a tendency to a "gold" look.

If there is copper underneath, it is nickel. Nickel will not plate directly on steel, so the steel is first given a light copper plating ("undercladding") then nickel plated over that.

Just FYI, do NOT use ANY kind of ammonia cleaner, like Hoppes No. 9, on that gun. Ammonia is used in bore cleaners to dissolve copper from the old cupro-nickel jackets and from the copper wash left by gilding metal bullets. It won't harm the nickel itself, but if it can get to the copper, it will attack it and with the undercladding removed, the nickel will peel right off.

Jim

[GeorgeR]

I'm no expert, but see if this helps... Decorative chrome is usually a very thin plated coat applied over nickel, and has a bluish cast as opposed to nickel's yellow cast. Chrome is usually "brighter" than nickel and the reflection is deeper. The copper undercoat won't help you determine what it is. You might want to put the parts side by side with maybe a chrome plated bumper or wheel cover and see if there's a difference. If there is, the brighter one is chrome.

[Neobayer]

:) Gentlemen, Thanks for the info. I have updated my eBay auction accordingly.
I hate to sell something that is not described correctly. :)