Black Chrome - Brassing or something else?

[dave lackey]

Just thought of something, as my Leica R4 continues to get heavy use and doing one outstanding job with the Cron 50, does the black chrome brass or something else? Is it going to get brassy or show some kind of shiny something as the wear marks begin to come through over time?😕

 

[rogerzilla]

It just goes shiny. They are zinc underneath, not brass. This is why some people prefer black paint, which is nowhere near as hardwearing but wears in a "classic" fashion.

 

[Nikon Bob]

If you look at post#16 by Tom A http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50717 it might help explain what is underneath the black chrome. I do not believe my black chrome M4 has a zinc top plate. Brass or Zinc can be black chromed once it is prepped.

Bob