JDW, Your Ideal Grade sure appears to have at least some case color remaining. I have noticed through the years that for some reason, one seldom sees vivid case colors on otherwise pristine Ideal Grades. I have 2 Ideals in 12 and 20 ga. that are in excellent original condition but both have fairly weak case colors. I did pick up a decent field grade Smith a couple years ago that is nickel plated. I considered it to be an aftermarket finish and have intended to strip the nickel and restore it for use as a shooter. I don't recall any mention of nickel as an original finish in Brophys' book.
