Len - no. They were originally issued in the white. Forcing the poor bastard who owned it to clean and oil it CONSTANTLY. As far as I can tell it simply got a nickel bath to avoid it fading to gray patina or rust. I actually just won another one, that's done just that. I'll post it here when it shows up. After restoring it I'll have a pair, just like Rick O'Connell in The Mummy.