Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Can I authenticate that plating on collector rifle is original?

2007

Hello,

I have a nickel plated collector rifle. The big question is whether the plating was done in the USA (and modern - 1960's and later) or done in Europe (probably Sweden, 1943).

Below are the result of X-ray Fluoresence test. Highlight and cut & paste to excel for a better view.

Is there anything significant by the existence of cobalt in the results from the XRF scan of my rifle ? Or is cobalt in trace amounts just common ?

Thanks,

Dirk Kramer

XRF TEST DATA.

Date,Reading,Test Location, Mode, Match1, MN1,LE,Ti,Cr, Mn,Fe,Co,Ni,Cu, Mo

29-Jun-07,29,Brammer BS 800 Standard,Analytical,Inco 800,1.51,ND,0.57,19.98,0.93,46.29,ND,31.4,0.6,0.2

29-Jun-07,31,Receiver Ring,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.3,58.49,0.46,37.58,3.03,0

29-Jun-07,32,Butt Plate,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.19,39.54,0.65,58.2,1.42,ND

29-Jun-07,33,Barrel (Near Receiver),Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,0.06,0.38,58.07,0.35,37.37,3.58,0.02

29-Jun-07,34,Trigger Guard,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,ND,21.41,0.68,77.34,0.56,0.01

29-Jun-07,35,Floorplate,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.18,31.42,0.71,66.43,1.24,0.02

29-Jun-07,36,Rear Barrel Band,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,ND,40.37,ND,57.8,1.83,ND

29-Jun-07,38,Front Band,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.17,32.21,0.69,65.27,1.65,0.01

29-Jun-07,39,Sight Hood,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.21,31.42,0.82,65.35,2.19,ND

29-Jun-07,40,Bolt,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.2,30.02,0.58,67.65,1.54,0.01

29-Jun-07,41,Reshot-Receiver Ring,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.29,62.29,ND,34.47,2.95,ND

29-Jun-07,42,Rear Sight Assembly,Analytical,NO MATCH,,ND,ND,ND,0.67,72.27,ND,23.64,3.42,ND

29-Jun-07,43,Varnish,Analytical,NO MATCH,,99.93,ND,ND,ND,0.03,ND,ND,ND,ND

29-Jun-07,44,Stock Button,Analytical,Carbon Steel,0,ND,ND,ND,0.36,99.64,ND,ND,ND,ND

Dirk Kramer
Hobbyist - Crosby, Texas

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First of two simultaneous responses -- 2007

Dirk

I don't know if this is helpful but my reading of the results is:-
The copper content is probably under-plate below the nickel
The Iron is the base material (steel). Cobalt and molybdenum may be from the steel too (but Co in the nickel would not be surprising).
The nickel content is low and variable - it should be near 100% give or take some minor impurities.
These together indicate that the beam was penetrating the nickel coating.
Therefore I do not believe that the results give a true picture of the nickel coating composition.
As no thickness is quoted, I guess that the XRF was configured for quantitative analysis, not the type usually met in the coating industry and beam penetration is not perceived to be an issue.
To answer your original question, I would want to see the rifle. Was the original supplied plated, is the wear commensurate with age etc.
Trace metals in plating baths depend on the anodes and make up chemicals and will vary over time even in the same bath. It would be a very long shot to use them to indicate age or nationality.

Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England

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Second of two simultaneous responses --

I don't think there will be any way to tell when the plating was done. Yes, cobalt codeposited with nickel is common.

Jeffrey Holmes, CEF
Spartanburg, South Carolina
2007

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Thank you so very much for the posts. I am trying to research a collector K98 mauser that just might be a honour guard gun. It is AX mark (Efurt), dated 1941. Stock matches the action (Serial numbers). Inside the stock are more marks, Kr 4 43..... I interpret Kr to a Swedish abbr. for Nickel. "Kromnickelstal." 4 is april, 43 is the year. So, and AX 41 rifle was contracted to neutral sweden to get 'polished up' and turned into a burial gun. I have some nice BW pics of polished K98's flanking burials. My K98 does not have import marks, has a nickel finish, has the marks inside the barrel channel Kr 4 43. and still retains the Heer stamp, placed nicely in the area where the stock is grooved and slotted for the sling. Otherwise, the nicely finished stock is void of other marks.
I am meeting much resistance to this notion. Apparently, none have ever been verified to exist. And my pics are accused of being 'fraudulent'.
So, again, I thank your for input, and you have my deepest gratitude for your time in assisting me with this 'hobby'.
Cheers !

Dirk Kramer
- Crosby, Texas
2007