Bedbug - I think finishing and plating definitely have a place in this thread, especially since I was just about to post this:
http://www.caswellplating.com/kits/plugnplate.htm#
Looks like I've found an inexpensive solution to the plating problem.
33 bones and I can do it at home. And the same kit plates brass as well as steel. I call that a win.
And logeorge, those Cabelas specials are tempting, especially with the complete '60 going for just a few dollars more. I've just got this weird personality malfunction where I have to make things needlessly difficult.
(edit: oh, yah - robhof and Tom, apparently you have to nickel plate steel first in order to silver plate it, and since silver tarnishes and nickel doesn't, I think I'm going to pass on the true silver finish. Thanks for your posts, though. It was checking out your leads that eventually led me to the Caswell site.)