Dechroming

KarlJ · 02-10-2009, 02:46 PM

I have the opportunity to buy a byf 41 that is all matching except for the mag for cheap money. The grips are wood and in decent shape. No pitting. Someone had it professionally chromed (nickled?) and the finish is looking tired and is worn in several places.

I usually don't consider rebluing any anything I own. I prefer the original finish even if it's well worn. To me, the finish was ruined they day it was altered and I'd like to have it at least look original.

My question is, is it a major job to reblue it after it's been refinished? Any idea of price to do the job?

Edward Tinker · 02-10-2009, 03:09 PM

Karl, welcome to the forum. This gets brought up and there is always conflicting advice. I bought a kit to "denickle" a 1936 police I picked up, but have not tried it yet.

I have heard, oh, you just do the opposite of chroming by electrolysis, but most of what I have read says it is not as easy as that.

If you do searches of dechrome or taking chrome off or taking nickle off in google, mostly you will read, it is possible, but not easy.

And then it has to be reblued. Many times the gun was buffed ahead of time and that is one reason it was nickled.

If it was chromed right over everything, then it should be crisp letters, proofs etc.

Many times it is cheaper to buy a slightly more expensive but correct blued luger than a buffed bad and reblued or a chromed/nickled.

That said, i think every collection should have one nickle or chormed luger, it was very commmon for GI's to do that and it is part of their history....

Ed

KarlJ · 02-10-2009, 03:19 PM

Thanks Ed... I didn't really think of it that way. I have a small collection of Lugers ranging from 1915 to 1942 (6 to be exact).... Nothing too fancy. I hate to see a piece of history pass me buy, even if it's been altered. If it wasn't all matching I wouldn't consider it. The job that was done looks like it was nickeled and it was a quality job when it was done. I lady luck smiles upon me and the money gods are favorable, maybe I'll go for it....

02-10-2009, 02:46 PM	#1
KarlJ User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 28 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Dechroming I have the opportunity to buy a byf 41 that is all matching except for the mag for cheap money. The grips are wood and in decent shape. No pitting. Someone had it professionally chromed (nickled?) and the finish is looking tired and is worn in several places. I usually don't consider rebluing any anything I own. I prefer the original finish even if it's well worn. To me, the finish was ruined they day it was altered and I'd like to have it at least look original. My question is, is it a major job to reblue it after it's been refinished? Any idea of price to do the job?

02-10-2009, 03:09 PM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,966 Thanks: 2,066 Thanked 4,595 Times in 2,116 Posts	Karl, welcome to the forum. This gets brought up and there is always conflicting advice. I bought a kit to "denickle" a 1936 police I picked up, but have not tried it yet. I have heard, oh, you just do the opposite of chroming by electrolysis, but most of what I have read says it is not as easy as that. If you do searches of dechrome or taking chrome off or taking nickle off in google, mostly you will read, it is possible, but not easy. And then it has to be reblued. Many times the gun was buffed ahead of time and that is one reason it was nickled. If it was chromed right over everything, then it should be crisp letters, proofs etc. Many times it is cheaper to buy a slightly more expensive but correct blued luger than a buffed bad and reblued or a chromed/nickled. That said, i think every collection should have one nickle or chormed luger, it was very commmon for GI's to do that and it is part of their history.... Ed

02-10-2009, 03:19 PM	#3
KarlJ User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 28 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thanks Ed... I didn't really think of it that way. I have a small collection of Lugers ranging from 1915 to 1942 (6 to be exact).... Nothing too fancy. I hate to see a piece of history pass me buy, even if it's been altered. If it wasn't all matching I wouldn't consider it. The job that was done looks like it was nickeled and it was a quality job when it was done. I lady luck smiles upon me and the money gods are favorable, maybe I'll go for it....