Reverse electroplating is the best way to remove chrome plating. I've also done it by very carefully blasting with fine glass beads. Sand and aluminum oxide are too aggressive in my opinion.
from memory, reverse electroplating is something that an experienced person (shop) can do. If you do, indeed, have a Chrome (based on age, it is Hexavalent Chrome....a carcinagen), then you will end up with a minute amount of CR+6 waste. Dispose of that, as a "individual", along with the solution, at a Hazardous Waste Forgiveness day....most NC counties have them. Nickel is the same....but not as toxic...but also dispose of the bath and the residue in the same manner. Nickel requires less current (Amps /Sq Area) which is logical as Hard Chrome requires a higher amp density when being applied. Need to d0 the process in a well ventilated area because of the fumes.
An old WIVES tale is you will generate Cyanide Gas. WRONG....not even a Zinc plated (or Cad or Brass) item that was done in an Alkyline Cyanide bath will generate CN when you reverse plate. The Carbon and the Nitrogen be GONE....long gone and you have pure metal to etch off....in an acid solution....
As long as the individual does it properly and monitors it, you would be OK. BUT, if there are wear spots or pitting or bare spots, then I BELIEVE that you will have issues. Those spots will begin to errode or be "etched". A very thin, good layer with surface thicknesses that are uniform should be OK.
Your call as to what to do... You might find it MORE valuable to keep it on and find another piece or a modern version and bang away with that.... NEVER do something to an old firearm thinking it will improve it (or increase its value) without a LOT of research.... Learned the hard way....
Good Luck...
