Bluing nickle plate

[jwood]

I have a S&W Victory Model 38 that is nickle plated. I would like to blue it back to the way it was made, is this possible?

 

[Jim Watson]

Yes.
The plating has to be stripped, the bare steel surface brought back to the brush finish they used on military contract guns (before they started parkerizing) and then blued normally.

It can be done, but it won't be cheap. Back when S&W offered full service, a "change of finish" was about twice the price of a refinish. I don't think they work on guns that old any more. Maybe they would recommend a shop. Maybe somebody here knows of one.

 

[jwood]

So just degreasing it and bluing won't work? Think I'll just let her be then. Thanks!
PS But if I did want to remove the plating how is that done?

 

[Slamfire]

Don't mess with it. Leave it alone. I have no doubt that the lettering is already faint, removing the nickel and polishing what remains will just remove more of the lettering, marks, and tool marks. These war time pistols have rough exteriors.

I cannot speak for all Victory Revolvers, but this unfired example, is parkerized.:

 

[critter]

SlamFire1, I have a twin to your gun (also parked) and also looks to be unfired. Mine, however, is marked U. S. Navy.

I'd LOVE to shoot mine but probably will not. Lots of history there!

 

[jwood]

Yeah the removing the lettering would happen if you strip the nickle off wouldn't it? But back to my original question can I just degrease it and blue it?

 

[Jim Watson]

You cannot degrease and blue it.
Nickel plating is very good protection against oxidation, which is what bluing is.

Removing the nickel by chemical stripping or reverse plating will not affect the markings, but getting the steel back to the brush texture for military blue (or sandblasting for Parkerizing) might well erase them, especially if the gun was buffed much for plating.

 

[theNoid]

So say a guy has an old nickle wheelie and it's plating is coming off anyways. He/she could completely strip the rest of the plating off and have it blued correct?

Noidster

 

[jwood]

Well sounds like I will just keep the gun the way it is. Now I've got to convince the wife that what I really need is that untouched Victory from WWII since I can't restore mine!

 

[rcmodel]

He/she could completely strip the rest of the plating off and have it blued correct?

Yes.
As has already been stated, the old plating would be reverse electroplated to remove it.

Then the gun could be polished and blued normally.

But as has also been stated, you may run out of markings & lettering before the polishing is completed.

rcmodel

 

[nicholst55]

I think some folks are exaggerating the cost of refinishing a nickeled gun in blue. Most places charge from $35-50 or so to strip nickel. I can't personally see the need for anything that would run the price up to twice what a 'normal' refinish would cost. Check with a professional refinisher for confirmation.

And no, you can't just degrease and blue.