Hard Chrome 25-9. Found out it is Electroless Nickel Plating.

[LouisianaJoe]

I acquired a hard chrome 25-9. It is in excellent condition and very accurate. At first, I thought that it was stainless until I noticed that the chrome stops about 1/4" into the bore.

What I would like to find out is if this is a factory job or not. It was made in 1990, I think. Could this be a distributor special?

Note that even the internal parts are chromed:

Also notice that the front sight insert is black:

The Logo and lettering are still crisp.

 

[colt_saa]

Odds are 999 out of 1000 that it is an aftermarket platting job

The only way to be 100% positive is request a letter

 

[TSQUARED]

A "factory letter" from Mr. Jinks will only tell you what the condition was when the gun left the factory. If any work was done after the gun's initial shipment that will not be recorded in the shipping information.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

I took the gun the the NRA Annual Meeting and showed it to Bill Edmiston. He reconized the finish as Electroless Nickel Plating. He indicated that he had some guns finished this way in the past. He knew the person that developed the process but I forgot the name.