Leslie Sapp
Member
Does anyone know what type of nickle was used on pre-war Smiths? Was it pure nickle or an alloy?
Pure nickle or alloy plating?
- Thread starter Leslie Sapp
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Not sure if the make-up of S&W nickel alloy is documented anywhere, but am sure it was an alloy. Brownell's sells a nickel alloy made of 87% nickel, 12% phosphorous and 1% copper for electroless plating today.
Alk8944
US Veteran
Electroless plating and electrolytic plating are two completely different animals and use different materials. I am certain pure Nickel was used by S&W, and others, for their electrolytic nickel plated firearms.
Since glowe is a SWCA member this would be a good question for him to ask Roy Jinks on that sub-forum! Hint, hint!
Why are you asking the question? Do you have a gun that is Nickel plated but has some finish issues? Do you think you can simply plate over the existing finish to repair it? If so you are out of luck.
You cannot plate Nickel over Nickel, it simply does not work! The gun would need to have the original finish completely stripped, either electrolytically or chemically, before it can be re-plated. This is a situation unique to Nickel plating, other finish plating types would work just fine.
If you don't believe me check with a local plating shop and they will tell you the same thing!
Since glowe is a SWCA member this would be a good question for him to ask Roy Jinks on that sub-forum! Hint, hint!
Why are you asking the question? Do you have a gun that is Nickel plated but has some finish issues? Do you think you can simply plate over the existing finish to repair it? If so you are out of luck.
You cannot plate Nickel over Nickel, it simply does not work! The gun would need to have the original finish completely stripped, either electrolytically or chemically, before it can be re-plated. This is a situation unique to Nickel plating, other finish plating types would work just fine.
If you don't believe me check with a local plating shop and they will tell you the same thing!
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Leslie Sapp
Member
I have a sideplate that has a spot of missing finish slightly larger than a nickle. I was debating as to whether I could do just the side plate and have it match.
SweetMK
Member
Nickel is probably like chrome,, it can not be directly plated to steel.
There can be one to three other layers of plating that goes on before the top layer of plating.
With chrome, the copper is plated on, then the easily buffed copper layer is perfected.
If you put chrome directly on the steel, it would pop off easily,,
the inner layers of plating allow a better bond.
So, whether the nickel is an alloy, or not, there are still other metals present.
There can be one to three other layers of plating that goes on before the top layer of plating.
With chrome, the copper is plated on, then the easily buffed copper layer is perfected.
If you put chrome directly on the steel, it would pop off easily,,
the inner layers of plating allow a better bond.
So, whether the nickel is an alloy, or not, there are still other metals present.
