easyupbug thanks for those photos. So interesting to see the different conditions/finishes of steel. I removed the paint from just the front hub mount and rear dropouts of the frame I'm working on and I'm pretty sure it's chrome under there. Definitely more of a mirror like finish than typical bare metal. One post closer to posting photos...
Also, what are some other forums that you guys like? I find this BF system to be a little hard to use compared to more modern ones like ******, for example, but it's also about finding the right people.