Silver plating

[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]

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

[marlinman93]

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

[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]

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]

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

[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.

[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.

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]

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

[Tycer]

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.

[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]

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