The great 1948 to 1950 winder debate

[townwagon]

Guys,

 

I was pulling a winder from a 1950 B-2-C yesterday and I noticed it was nickel plated. I went back to my stash and found three styles of winder used in the 1948-50 era. My current understanding of the years used is:

 

Far left 1948 to mid 1949.

Middle mid 1949 to 1950

Nickel used 1950

 

Has anyone found a closer answer to when these handles were used? Why were some of the curvier ones nickel? Korean War shortages?

 

Just another weird detail you find when you look at enough trucks.

 

Eric

[JBNeal]

The handles on the '48 parts truck are long gone; the handles on my '48 have questionable origins as they appear almost pink.  The handles on the '49 are not original either, as one appears to be from a B-3, and the passenger door has an unknown handle.  I recall reading in several places that chrome plated parts were painted or had some other coating once that police action flared up on the Korean peninsula.

[ggdad1951]

JBNeal, yes the one is from B3.  

 

As for age, I know the '51 year was nickel plated and not chromed so maybe the 50-51 and 51 where nickel? 

[4852dodge]

The pink color may be the copper plate layer that is under the chrome.  Chrome plating is a mulit layer system and copper is one.