Actually the colour is decieving, the flash did this. The blade is all chrome except where you noticed at the ricasso. There is small corrosion shaped like worms or roots under the plating. The plating is good and very thin as the etching is still crisp and visible. The satin background of the etching has stayed satin even with plating, it has taken on the same texture. I believe the plating was done along time ago. One of RWL books mentions a plating/gilt shop in the mid 150's, but does not elaborate to say whether it is the blue and gilt or possibly chrome, nickel, or silver. I have compared the sword to others plated in nickel and this one is chrome, a whiter colour.