Restoring Old Guns

[MONGO-AZ]

Hello - I have an old H&R .32 that most of the nickel finish has worn off on - does anyone know of someone that re-plates old guns? I am in the Phoenix area.

[St. George]

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger - a lot of these pocket revolvers have lost their plating.

You could take it to a manufacturing jeweler, a commercial plating shop - or even a religious goods manufacturer - all of whom are familiar with the de-plating and re-plating process.

The bad thing is - most of those old guns aren't worth the cost to do it.

De-plating and prepping properly both take time - time that costs more than the purchase of a nicer example would.

All is not lost, however...

Get some 'Simichrome' or 'Wenol'  and some really 'fine' steel wool and polish the piece by hand yourself.

Believe me - it works very well.

Then, once you've figured out the brightness level that's most pleasing - just oil it lightly from time to time.

Either of the above-named polishes can be found at your local motorcycle shop or antique shop (go figure) - and they're a paste that you can control with a soft cloth.

Neither will polish out pitting - but either can put a nice 'well-cared-for' look to your revolver.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Yankee John]

St. George advice is the gospel!

I also picked up an old H&R .32 recently; Heeding St.G's advice,  I polished it with Simichrome using an old sock (clean!)  and the difference was AMAZING! 

John

[MONGO-AZ]

Thanks St. George - appreciate it! This was my great-grandad's gun from when he was a cowtown Town Marshall in the mid-1880's - so trust me - it's worth the cost!

[St. George]

Give the 'Simichrome' or 'Wenol' a try, first - you may be more than pleased with the results, since you're going to be able to show a well-kept piece as a result - complete with all markings left 'crisp'.

Sometimes, the re-plating process 'muddies' the lettering.

It'll also allow you to find someone to do the plating, should you so desire.

Again, Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scots Out!

[MONGO-AZ]

Thanks - I'll try the SimiChrome. Would I steel wool with the SimiChrome, or steel wool first and then use the SimiChrome with a soft cloth?

[St. George]

Use that very fine steel wool with the 'Simichrome', first - then - once you've effectively brightened the darkened metal to your satisfaction - use it on a soft cloth as a 'finish'.

You can use dowels for the cylinder flutes, if you need yo, since your fingers 'will' get tired - but that's pretty much all of the 'mechanical devices' you'll be using.

The process takes time, in order to do it right - but I think it's time well-spent, since you're left with a more 'realistic' finish that if you re-plate it.

Nickel has a very different look to it than chrome or silver - it's a more subtle finish, with less brightness - even when newly-applied - and some old guns never look quite like they should when re-done.

Good Luck.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!