Late to the conversation, but to add something on the subject of chromed barrels (exterior vs bores): Here in the States, many of us were exposed to chrome finished barrels back in the 1960's. When Ithaca began importing SKB sxs and OUs, the barrels were finished in black chrome. (The bores were also chrome-lined.) The exterior finish of those barrels appeared dull next to standard blued barrels. Later SKB's, however--after Ithaca ceased importing the guns--had blued barrels. Although the black chrome wore relatively well, it was dropped due to concerns from Japan's version of the EPA and a toxic waste disposal problem that resulted from the black chrome process.
