Chrome plated barrell in 1975 Colt Combat Commander?

[Mr. Doughnut]

I just acquired a Colt Combat Commander, manufactured in 1975, with what appears to be a chrome plated barrel. Some of the chrome plate is flaking off at the barrel hood, and there are minute cracks in the plating at the tip of the muzzle. The hood is marked COLT .45 AUTO.

Did Colt ever chrome plate their 1911 barrels? If not, can anyone offer an explanation of how the plating may have gotten there?

BTW, the gun has a satin nickel finish.

Thanks,
Mr. Doughnut

 

[cyclopsshooter]

Yes, my polished nickel 70 series has a plated factory barrel. Being carbon steel they wouldnt just leave it in the "white" too susceptible to rust

DONT Use Hoppes or any other copper solvent- its death to nickel.

Welcome to THR

 

[Drail]

Being carbon steel they DO just leave it in the white. They have since about 1910 or so. I have never seen a factory Colt barrel that was plated (even on a factory plated gun. It was [robably done after it left the factory. People used to do this all the time back in the 50s and 60s. If that were mine I would just remove the plating on the barrel and keep it oiled. Most aftermarket barrels now are made from stainless. Most of the factory barrels are not and never have been.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

only parts of a barrel i have seen in the white is the bore, hood, chamber, and ramp.

 

[Drail]

So what part is plated?

 

[cyclopsshooter]

The OP says hood and crown- my 70 seems unfired aside from the factory test.. light copper on the lands and no wear on the breechface. It has been a while since I looked at the pistol but i could swear the bore's grooves had a flash chromed look- not sure about the hood but the crown is as high polished as the rest of the pistol.