I have a high-end Italian SxS (Bertuzzi) with a coined finished receiver. Unfortunately the customer stored it in its case with moisture present and it needs to be refinished. Speaking with Turnbulls they're convinced it's plated, not French grayed. They don't provide plating services and couldn't give a recommendation for a reputable company.

Has anyone used someone they can recommend? I'm aware that I can google firearms plating and get a number of companies, but I'm looking for someone that can work on a $20k shotgun with fine English scroll work.

Thanks in advance.

A so called coin finish, as seen on many high grade Italian guns, is essentially no finish other than a clear lacquer applied to a highly polished action.

If any damage to the engraving, you might be best to turn it over to a recognized talent so he or she can touch up and do the coin finish.

Of course if it is plated, you probably have an extra issue.

Thanks Duane. I'm working with an engraver for that aspect of the project. It's the plating that I'm unsure of who to work with.

Squeezenhope: That's certainly possible. I'll get some photos posted here to see what people think. Turnbulls believes it's plated but they're working off photos I've sent them as well. The fact that it rusted so easily may be explained by the fact it's merely laquered over a high polish. I would think plating would hold up better?

I use Craftguard, satin Nickel.

Oh my...what a bummer....I'd "sneak up"
with a lower pressure very fine glass bead,,,just to get past the rust and crap to see what you're really up against

Try some fine steel wool and WD40 first, you might be surprised how much of that surface rust is removed and the finish still acceptable especially considering the customer can't follow basic firearm protocols in terms of cleaning and storage. He deserves what he got but it may be retrievable. I've used steel wool and WD40 on blued surfaces and surface rust has been removed without affecting the bluing.

Speaking of nickel plating...anyone using the electroless nickel plating that Brownell's offered?

Successful?

I used Electroplate Rite in Dublin, VA for two rifles, Remington 700s, about 25 years ago. They did a good job for me. No other experience.

Thank you all for the comments. I got a quite a few PMs and a phone call with helpful suggestions as well. I'm amazed by the knowledge and people's willingness to help on this site.

Turns out it is not plated after all. This project will still take some work but at least I don't need to worry about finding a plating source.

Again, thank you for your help.

MNR Might consider Loctite Naval Jelly first which contains phosphoric acid. Might come off in one app. and it rinses with water.
A follow up is appreciated.
CB

I do electroless nickel plating for some of my small internal parts but I don’t use Brownells products. I use Caswell plating products. They have a website and give a good instruction book. They offer supplies for all kinds of plating

Lightly case hardened and the colors polished off to give it the plated look?
Looks like it rusted through that in spots.
Sometimes they don't have much of a case depth to speak of and you can cut right through it.

Well Mr. MNR. If you're still tuned in.....this would look like a million bucks color case hardened with a fine bone process.
Please keep us posted on your choices going forward.
CB

CCR Refinishing in Greeneville, TN does Electroless nickel plating. I've had revolvers done. About $250.

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Speaking of nickel plating...anyone using the electroless nickel plating that Brownell's offered?

Successful?

Duane
I have a 1911 series 70 that was electroless nickel plated over 40 years ago carried every day and it still shows no wear no rust just a high polish in the slide rails.
Very successful