A lot of guns were nickled in the early postwar period to cut down on maintainance. Cleaning meant other guys in your barracks knew you had a gun. Thus, you war trophy was put a risk while you werent in the barracks. My own father had a gun nickled and then hid in the bottom of his duffle bag to keep it safe from prying eyes and nimble fingers.
I also know of a fellow that nickled pieces on his luger that began to rust - he worked at the Phila Navy yard and was able to plate small parts at Govt expense!
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