1917 Artillery Restoration

I have a 1917 Artillery Luger that has been abused. A former owner had it reblued, with a rather heavy handed polishing. That's not the worst: the toggle assembly, trigger, rear sight slide and grip screws are chrome plated. I called Mentor Arms and was told that they had had little success in removing the chrome w/o further damaging the pistol. Does anyone know of a gunsmith who might be able to strip the chromed parts and reblue them?


David

[John Sabato]

Hi David,


I don't believe I have seen you post before, so let me welcome you to the Luger Forum. Look in the yellow pages for plating shops and ask their advice about chrome removal.


In 40 years of reading gun magazines and books I must say that I have never read an article about the successful removal of chrome on a firearm, but OTOH, I haven't seen anyone write about it being hopeless either.


Are you sure it is chrome? Could it be nickle? I believe that nickle plating can be removed by bathing for a long time (read that as days or even weeks depending on the thickness of the plating)in Hoppe's Bore cleaner or any bore cleaner that is intended to dissolve and remove copper fouling in gun barrels.


Since you say that the previous owner used a heavy hand in the polishing department, you might consider having a modern gun finish applied to your artillery shooter after attempting successfully or otherwise to remove the plating.


Perhaps someone else on the forum would have a suggestion on chrome removal without damaging the underlying metal.


Please keep us informed on what you may find out.


Again, Welcome, and good luck...


-John Sabato

[Johnny Peppers]

Brownells sells a solution to remove nickel. Don't let anyone try and buff the nickel off.

[John Sabato]

Thanks for that warning Johnny, You are sooo right. Nickle just smears if you try to buff it off.


I am afraid that if it is chrome as David suspects, reverse plating may be his only hope...

[ViggoG]

If it is chrome , a very different problem exists

the chrome is so abrasive resistant that it will form "islands" and excessive amounts of steel will be removed between resulting in shallow washouts and slight lumps ?


Just a word of caution


ViggoG

[Patrick]

There was a quite extensive discussion on this subject some time ago. But I don�´t remember whether anyone came up with a solution to the problem. I suppose that this was before the Forum introduced the "search" function. Patrick

[Marvin]

David,


Welcome to the Forum! As to your Chrome Plating problem, the only way to remove it is to reverse the plating process and it will take a very qualified plating shop to do this. Once the reversing process begins, the plater must be very carefull because if he leaves it in the tanks too long it will begin to attack the base metal. The best bet so far is as suggested; talk to some local plating shops and see what they say.


As to a refinishing job, we have Ted Green who does an excellent job of restoring Lugers with the original type finish (after the chrome is removed). He may also be able to re-engrave the stamps too. Good Luck


marvin

[Johnny Peppers]

The Brownells solution was provided only as a better alternative to Hoppe's Bore Cleaner.

[Big Norm]

All this may cost more than the Luger is worth. carefully consider if you want to do this.Whaat will you really end up with?


Big Norm

Hi Dave.. I can remove chrome or nickel from gun steel using the reverse-electro process. Contact me for details and cost

Tommy Hinson

[John Sabato]

May I suggest two things. First, create your profile (see the top of the main discussion page "Edit Your Profile" link) so no one can post using your name.


Second, post an ad in the classifieds (see menu bar to your left) about your de-chroming and de-nickling service. I have been asked this many times, but you are the first person that I have known to profess the ability to do this.


You might also mention your service in your profile...


Come back often, and thanks for posting


John Sabato

[Thor]

I would be interested in the denickling, etc as I am asked in my Luger REworks if this is possible. Thor



Ted's Luger Strawing Service AKA Thor's Luger Clinic