Silver plating

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Sam56
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Silver plating

Post by Sam56 »

Hi everyone
I have a winchester 94 (Legendry Lawmen) 1977.The lower tang is pitted.,and I think it was silver plated originally.
Any advice on how to restore it to its original condition.?
I'm attaching some photos.
Thanks
Sam
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Old No7
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Re: Silver plating

Post by Old No7 »

One thing is for sure -- don't ever use a solvent which has ammonia in it, as I've read that it will lift the plating.

As for restoration, I wonder if there's a bright silver Ceracoat (ceramic-based finish -- not sure if I spelled it right...) color that would match closely and be much more durable?! You might be able to get that small piece done for a reasonable cost.

Old No7
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marlinman93
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Re: Silver plating

Post by marlinman93 »

I doubt it is silver plating. Likely something more like a brushed nickel or dull chrome. Maybe a Metalife coating?
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Sam56
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Re: Silver plating

Post by Sam56 »

I think it is silver plated as I read some articles.
I have a photo of the receiver before and after I polished it with flitz.
Thanks
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765x53
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Re: Silver plating

Post by 765x53 »

Talk to a jeweler ( a real Jeweler, not just a salesman) it might be plated at reasonable cost.
Alternately, if it is just the lower tang, polishing and reblueing would not detract from the overall appearance.
Sam56
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Re: Silver plating

Post by Sam56 »

765x53 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 2:02 pm Talk to a jeweler ( a real Jeweler, not just a salesman) it might be plated at reasonable cost.
Alternately, if it is just the lower tang, polishing and reblueing would not detract from the overall appearance.
Thanks
The receiver material as I heard is sintered steel which doesn't take bluing very well.
Sam
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OldWin
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Re: Silver plating

Post by OldWin »

I got one of those too! Neat carbine.
It may be cheaper to try and source another lower tang. Of course, probably not these days. Only other avenue would be to re-plate it, but there are a lot of do it yourself products available today that may be ok for a lower tang. Maybe try Alumihyde or other bake on coatings.
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765x53
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Re: Silver plating

Post by 765x53 »

Sam56 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 3:06 pm
765x53 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 2:02 pm Talk to a jeweler ( a real Jeweler, not just a salesman) it might be plated at reasonable cost.
Alternately, if it is just the lower tang, polishing and reblueing would not detract from the overall appearance.
Thanks
The receiver material as I heard is sintered steel which doesn't take bluing very well.
Sam
The lower tang of my sintered steel 94 appears to be carbon steel.
Sam56
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Re: Silver plating

Post by Sam56 »

765x53 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 7:31 pm
Sam56 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 3:06 pm
765x53 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 2:02 pm Talk to a jeweler ( a real Jeweler, not just a salesman) it might be plated at reasonable cost.
Alternately, if it is just the lower tang, polishing and reblueing would not detract from the overall appearance.
Thanks
The receiver material as I heard is sintered steel which doesn't take bluing very well.
Sam
The lower tang of my sintered steel 94 appears to be carbon steel.
Is it only the receiver that is sintered steel?
How can I tell?
Sam
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Tycer
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Re: Silver plating

Post by Tycer »

Sam56 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 7:41 pm
765x53 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 7:31 pm
Sam56 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 3:06 pm
765x53 wrote: Mon Oct 24, 2022 2:02 pm Talk to a jeweler ( a real Jeweler, not just a salesman) it might be plated at reasonable cost.
Alternately, if it is just the lower tang, polishing and reblueing would not detract from the overall appearance.
.

Thanks
The receiver material as I heard is sintered steel which doesn't take bluing very well.
Sam
The lower tang of my sintered steel 94 appears to be carbon steel.
Is it only the receiver that is sintered steel?
How can I tell?
Sam
Just the receiver.
Kind regards,
Tycer
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DadsMod12
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Re: Silver plating

Post by DadsMod12 »

You'll probably have to go to a big plating shop. They will be set up for a project like this. Jewelers usually don't have the equipment to plate large non-precious metals. I used to work in a jewelry repair shop back in the 70's. To plate steel you have to polish, clean, electro strip, plate with copper, silver plate and hope that there is no contamination and the plating doesn't need polished.
Sam56
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Re: Silver plating

Post by Sam56 »

DadsMod12 wrote: Tue Oct 25, 2022 8:55 pm You'll probably have to go to a big plating shop. They will be set up for a project like this. Jewelers usually don't have the equipment to plate large non-precious metals. I used to work in a jewelry repair shop back in the 70's. To plate steel you have to polish, clean, electro strip, plate with copper, silver plate and hope that there is no contamination and the plating doesn't need polished.
Thank you for your suggestions.
Sam
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