[lugerholsterrepair]

FN was using chrome right after WW2 and found that chrome was much thicker than Nickle. To approximate the look of nickle they used a satin chrome. Nickle is much less durable than chrome perhaps partly because it is thinner.It is certainly made up of softer metals. Chrome is VERY hard and will be found in the bore of SKS rifles and many rifles now employ it for durability.
A nickle coating on guns is copper, nickel and zinc. As it ages it achieves a yellowish patina and a nickle magazine left in a holster will eventually turn green with verdegris.

I once found a 1908 Luger and had it stripped of the chrome that was on it. I think it would only be worth it if the pistol was rare & worthy of extensive restoration and not heavily buffed as John says.

Jerry Burney