1930's Sheaffer clip material?

[azkid]

I have this 1930's Junior Balance with a silver-colored metal clip. I was curious what metal was used?

It had a bunch of deep scratches that I swear revealed brass-colored material beneath and so I assumed it was plated, like so many nickel- and chrome-plated brass watch cases I have run across.


I decided to try sanding down to the brass and polishing it only to discover that, when done, it now looks all silvery. Like it isn't plated at all. Is this solid nickel?


I am completely baffled. This doesn't look like stainless steel or anything else I have encountered.

Hoping someone can shed some light on this.

Thanks!