Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be?

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Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be?

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 30 Jul 2020, 8:02 pm

Hi guys, I've bought a couple of old Winchesters from a bloke, and he has offered me a 3rd. Not usually something I would buy, but he has caught my interest with this one

So it is an old 1892 half mag carbine that has had a 218bee barrel put on it. I asked if it was nickel finish and he just said not sure. This is the only photo I currently have, obviously looks too good to be original nickel finish on the action and mag tube.

What would this finish be? Can you replate an action with nickel?
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Re: Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be

Post by No1_49er » 30 Jul 2020, 9:32 pm

I'm not going to say, outright, what you might have, But.
Some time ago, and after seeing on-line pics and description, I purchased what appeared to be a lovely old (circa 1908) Winchester Low Wall in 22LR. What I received appeared, somewhat like yours, to be "in the white".
After disassembling for a closer inspection and to understand why, I discovered that somebody with too much time on their hands had polished every last vestage of bluing off every surface that they could get a buffing wheel to make contact with. Yes, it was "in the white", but not in the true sense.
Had to get the barrel sleeved because the rifling was almost non-existent, and turned it into a nice shooter.
My suggestion for you: take it apart and have a very close look at all surfaces, especially what's "hiding" under the stock.
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Re: Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be

Post by TassieTiger » 30 Jul 2020, 9:35 pm

Probably wrong but It doesn’t seem to have the lustre of nickel - it looks a bit like highly polished steel - like the type of polishing thst can only be achieved with bench wheels, wax, a lot of hours and such.
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Re: Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be

Post by cleger » 30 Jul 2020, 10:44 pm

So hard to say, but I'd venture that it's plated.

First, the barrel band looks like it's worn-through in a couple of spots, and whiter there, as steel would be, versus nickel. It also appears tarnished/stained, as does the receiver, back in the vicinity of the saddle ring. I think that if it were plain steel it would look worse, unless polished, in which case I'd expect to see more uniform color.

I'm as likely wrong as not!
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Re: Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be

Post by womble » 31 Jul 2020, 3:42 am

Nickel plated.
Matt finish in nickel is not unusual with guns, reduces glare.
I’m no expert but i would think given the manufacture date ,probably a popular option for those with a bit more gold to spend, better than bluing.
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Re: Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be

Post by Kelsey Cooter » 31 Jul 2020, 6:21 am

Thanks guys, I haven't bought this one from him yet, and it's to far away to see it in person.

The seller got back to me last night and said- I don't know about nickel it doesn't look like it, I think it is just bare rubbed steel.

He's an older gent who bought it the way it is. Can't say I've seen anything like that in person.
He is asking $850 for the carbine, a die set and 50 new cases

What did you with you low wall No1_49er? Did you blue it or keep it as is?
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Re: Can someone give me an idea of what this finish might be

Post by No1_49er » 31 Jul 2020, 7:58 am

No point in re-bluing, 'cos I've already got a new Miroku made version with half octagon to round barrel, so kept the oldie "in the white".
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