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I had a Uberti 73 clone engraved by a guy who has an FFL. He’s done, but I have not picked it up yet. The picture looks awesome and I am very please with the work.
I now want to have it silver plated so I’ve been looking around for someone who can do this. One outfit in NC said they would but they don’t have an FFL and didn’t think they would need one. I check with the gubm’t and they said yes, they would need an FFL for the receiver.
You guys probably already knew all this, but thought I’d share. If anyone knows of a good plater with an FFL, please advise. I have some feelers out to some who advertise as much on line (no responses yet), but I’d take a reference if anyone has one.
FIPB Regulatory Email Inquiries <[email protected]>
9:00 AM (13 minutes ago)
to me
“This is in reply to your recent email to the Firearms Industry Programs Branch (FIPB) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) asking if you may ship a firearm and firearm component parts to a plater who does not have a Federal firearms license (FFL).
As background, the Gun Control Act (GCA), 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), defines the term “firearm” as—
…(A) any weapon (including a starter gun), which will, or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) The frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; (D) any destructive device.
A complete firearm or a firearm frame or receiver can only be shipped to a plater who holds a Federal firearms license (FFL).
Unregulated component parts such as the butt plate, fore-end cap and front sight can be shipped to a plater who does not hold a Federal firearms license (FFL).
We thank you for your inquiry and trust that this has been responsive.
Michael S Knapp
Firearms Enforcement Specialist
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Firearms and Explosives Industry Division
Firearms Industry Programs Branch”
Huck Riley said
I now want to have it silver plated so I’ve been looking around for someone who can do this. One outfit in NC said they would but they don’t have an FFL and didn’t think they would need one.
If they don’t have an FFL, I’d guess they aren’t doing a whole lot of gun work, which would disincline me to have them do the plating. Sounds like this is a “no expense spared” undertaking, so have you inquired at Turnbull?
Oh, I’m sparing a whole lot of expense. 
First, I’m using a Uberti, and Second, I got a screaming deal on the engraving.
He’s a long-time jeweler and a member of the FEGA but had just received his FFL so I *think* he was just breaking into the gun/hand engraving market. I wanted to give him a shot. Hopefully I got a deal, and he got something for his portfolio, as well as $400.00. Even though I have not picked it up and turned it over in my hands, in the privacy of my own home, I know I’m pleased. It is more than I expected as to quantity, and the quality looks good. I think he can and should charge more, and hopefully this project works out for him too. I would recommend him to anyone, including you people.
I think the plater I was talking to is probably pretty good, but they don’t specialize in guns so they don’t have an FFL. https://oexningsilversmiths.com/
I’d be happy with a decent level of plating. I want it to stick, be fairly thick, and to tarnish to that dark, almost color cased look you see on old silver.
It’s going to be a shootable wall hanger/art that probably won’t get shot much. Standard configuration with 30″ bbl.
Recently I talked to my engraver friend about the FFL situation. He told me that people like himself have to get a FFL but it is not the same as a gun dealers FFL. In his case, when he didn’t have a FFL, he would have the piece mailed to a gun shop and do the engraving at the shop. I doubt that something like this is possible for a plating shop. You need to talk to gun restorers about this.
Huck,
Reliable electroplating out of Chartley Massachusets is what you are looking for. Very reasonable pricing, fast turn around and great work. I’ve used them 4 times and have been very happy. They do have a ffl and specialize in firearms. A fella, asked me one time how their prices were. He said he got a quote from Turnbull which was about 20 times higher than what I was charged. (complete rifle) I know John Madl has used them also. He too was very pleased with their work.
http://www.reliableelectroplating.com/index.html
Erin
Erin Grivicich said
Huck,Reliable electroplating out of Chartley Massachusets is what you are looking for. Very reasonable pricing, fast turn around and great work. I’ve used them 4 times and have been very happy. They do have a ffl and specialize in firearms. A fella, asked me one time how their prices were. He said he got a quote from Turnbull which was about 20 times higher than what I was charged. (complete rifle) I know John Madl has used them also. He too was very pleased with their work.
http://www.reliableelectroplating.com/index.html
Erin
Thank you Erin. I will get comm with them now. This is what I was looking for. All the best!
Huck,
Please post some pics. when you get it back. (before and after would be even better) 
Best,
Erin
Erin Grivicich said
Huck,
Please post some pics. when you get it back. (before and after would be even better)
Best,
Erin
I’ll either have to join (re-join? I can’t remember) to post photos, or email them to a member. But I will do.
Huck Riley said
I’ll either have to join (re-join? I can’t remember) to post photos, or email them to a member. But I will do.
It shows you are a member not a guest???
Chuck said
It shows you are a member not a guest???
I’m not sure, to be honest. I thought I was WACA years ago because I used to get the magazine. I thought you had to be WACA to put up pictures because I’ve tried but couldn’t figure it out. I’ll try again now and see if it works:
Thanks, Chuck. Looks like it worked.
Thanks, Erin. Still waiting to hear back from them. Hopefully the Covid doesn’t have them shut down. I’m in no hurry, though.
Huck,
I’m not sure how the plating adheres/sticks over existing blueing. I would certainly inquire about it. If it has to be removed, I would suggest using the Birchwood Casey blue and rust remover (liquid chemical) VS. abrasive methods to protect your engraving.
Erin
Erin Grivicich said
Huck,
I’m not sure how the plating adheres/sticks over existing blueing. I would certainly inquire about it. If it has to be removed, I would suggest using the Birchwood Casey blue and rust remover (liquid chemical) VS. abrasive methods to protect your engraving.
Erin
Hey Erin: Right now it’s color case hardened (not blued). I have no clue if that is too hard to accept plating, or if they need to do some kind of prep to make sure it all works, but I will definitely tell them to protect the engraving while doing whatever process is best in my situation (I’ve heard there are different plating processes that can be used). It took the engraver over a year but I didn’t care and didn’t want to rush him. I think this Covid stuff gave him more time to work on non-jewelry projects. I won’t be rushing the plater either. I just hope I hear back from them. I did drop your name to them. 
I second the vote on Reliable in Mass. I had them plate a 4 3/4″ USFA IN .38-40, with their Watts nickel. I had them polish the nickel and could not be more pleased. Price was VERY reasonable.
Huck Riley said
Hey Erin: Right now it’s color case hardened (not blued). I have no clue if that is too hard to accept plating, or if they need to do some kind of prep to make sure it all works, but I will definitely tell them to protect the engraving while doing whatever process is best in my situation (I’ve heard there are different plating processes that can be used). It took the engraver over a year but I didn’t care and didn’t want to rush him. I think this Covid stuff gave him more time to work on non-jewelry projects. I won’t be rushing the plater either. I just hope I hear back from them. I did drop your name to them.
I’m very surprised he could cut the engraving on a CCH piece of steel. The guy I use won’t attempt to cut a piece of hardened unless it has been annealed. I wonder if it’s truly CCH. I believe there are chemical processes to make it look like CCH. I know you can wreck a new file in one stroke on CCH steel. (ask me how I know that)
Erin
Erin Grivicich said
I’m very surprised he could cut the engraving on a CCH piece of steel. The guy I use won’t attempt to cut a piece of hardened unless it has been annealed. I wonder if it’s truly CCH. I believe there are chemical processes to make it look like CCH. I know you can wreck a new file in one stroke on CCH steel. (ask me how I know that)
Erin
I can’t say for sure. It is a Uberti and I don’t know what they do to achieve that look.
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