Copper plated revolver?

BigBlock · Jan 25, 2009

I've been thinking about doing some really mean things to a GP100. I'm going to change the shape of the barrel and topstrap among other things. One thing I thought might be cool would be to have the gun copper plated rather than blued.

I've never seen or heard of such a thing, but I have a copper Zippo lighter that I've carried every day for years -it has developed into a really nice worn and tarnished look. I think a Zippo collector would probably pay me twice what I bought it for just for the looks. I think a revolver like this *might* look nice...or it could look really stupid.

Is there any reason you CAN'T have a revolver copper plated other than bad taste?

JohnKSa · Jan 25, 2009

Elmer Keith, in Sixguns, wrote fondly about a copper plated revolver he once owned.

"The copper plating was really nice. It had turned almost jet black every place except where the holster rubbed, and there it was, of course, bright copper finish. On the whole it made a rather pleasing treatment and one that could not rust in any climate."

Oro · Jan 25, 2009

You would not be able to use most bore solvents to clean it. They eat away copper. Besides needing to be careful about cleaning, you could get away with it. It might be a bit on the bling side, but you could do it.

BigBlock · Jan 25, 2009

You would not be able to use most bore solvents to clean it. They eat away copper. Besides needing to be careful about cleaning, you could get away with it. It might be a bit on the bling side, but you could do it.

That is a very good point...I didn't think about that. It would be bling bling for a few weeks when it's brand new copper, but it turns dark brown wherever you touch it in a few weeks. Think of an old penny.

I might leave some components bright stainless...I don't know, I'm just thinking out loud here. I may have had a few too many brews tonight. :uhoh:

The gun in general is mostly just being built for fun and will look like whatever I come up with in the end.

Marlin 45 carbine · Jan 25, 2009

if it's S/S it's very difficult to electro-plate.
sober up.

BigBlock · Jan 25, 2009

if it's S/S it's very difficult to electro-plate.

Yes, it would be a stripped blued gun, with some parts possibly swaped out with stainless. (hammer and trigger come to mind)

gotboostvr · Jan 25, 2009

Why the heck not?

If you've got the money and the job security, want it bad enough...
...go for it.

...Pursuit of happiness and all that jab which makes this country great.

I've also had a few too many brews tonight, you're among good company (I think?).

Iggy · Jan 25, 2009

Just think of all the questions and comments it will raise 75 years from now. :uhoh:

Beagle-zebub · Jan 25, 2009

Worst case scenario, it turns green...and even that would be pretty sweet!

krs · Jan 25, 2009

Take your baby shoes in too, you might get a discount.

MikeJackmin · Jan 25, 2009

Maybe bronze would be nice, too - I've seen various alloys that range from gold to reddish hues.

These are rather soft metals, aren't they? Also, you might want to be careful about the added thickness in places where the tolerences are close, like the cylinder notches.

Gordon · Jan 25, 2009

I think the underlying base coat of a nickle plate job is copper.

Owen · Jan 25, 2009

Gordon is correct, nickel plating is done over a copper plating.

It might look really neat, and its you money. I say go for it.

JohnKSa · Jan 25, 2009

There is no copper strike coating required for today's (electroless) nickel plating when applied to steel.

sgt127 · Jan 25, 2009

Option #2. If you like the copper color, there are some incredibly tough spray and back finishes out there these days...bet they could certainly come up with a good match for you...might last longer than a real copper plate.

goodtime · Jan 25, 2009

Hey sarge, are you talking about coatings like this?
http://www.duracoat-firearm-finishes.com/

krs · Jan 25, 2009

Not Duracoat - it's about the same as Sherwin-Williams house paint, but that's the subject of a kazillion other threads.

sgt127 · Jan 25, 2009

No personal experience, but, the folks over at the Sig Forum rant about his work pretty regularly...

http://www.customizedcreationz.com/services/cerakoterefinishing.html

He has a tan thats close, dunno if he could mix a copper look though.

jephthai · Jan 25, 2009

but it turns dark brown wherever you touch it in a few weeks. Think of an old penny.

Is that why all those silly nickel-plated ones look as bad as nickels? Coins and guns experience different dirt-cycles.

It would probably corrode green, which would be kinda cool. I don't know if the patina increases the thickness of the plating, though.

-Jephthai-

Duke of Doubt · Jan 25, 2009

First of all, nickels aren't made of nickel.

Second, have you ever seen a Model 29 in nickel? It's a work of art.

messerist · Jan 25, 2009

Copper plated desert eagle

I was at a gun show about 15 years ago in Fargo North Dakota and one table had a display of Desert Eagles in different guises. One was nickle another gold and a third copper. While they were not for me they did look very "bling bling"

bdg146 · Jan 25, 2009

If you do this, you BETTER post some pictures

sgt127 · Jan 25, 2009

Hey, I just thought of something. Can't they do the Carbon Nitride finish in different colors? That stuff is bulletproof, would NEVER corrode. I think the gun may someday rust out from under it and just leave a shell, like a hollow easter candy. That would look cool in a coppery bronze color.

BigBlock · Jan 25, 2009

Also, you might want to be careful about the added thickness in places where the tolerences are close, like the cylinder notches.

Yeah, that was one of the main things I'm worried about. What special precautions are taken when a gun is nickel plated?

As for the color, here is a solid copper Zippo lighter I've been carrying for probably 5 years. That's the kind of finish I want...only shiny on the worn edges.

jephthai · Jan 26, 2009

First of all, nickels aren't made of nickel.

First of all, in my defense, they are plated in a copper-nickel alloy ;-). My point was more that pennies darken differently from other copper objects. I lived five years in the land of the (former) copper boom, and there you can get anything done in copper for culturally nostalgic reasons. Copper eventually gets green, which is often desirable. I think pennies get black mostly because they get dirty (fall on the ground, live in pockets and cash registers, etc.).

Second, have you ever seen a Model 29 in nickel? It's a work of art.

Second of all, have you ever seen sarcasm in action? (which is to say, I like nickel-plated guns a lot)

Copper plated revolver?

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