If you want to see what plating looked like 50 years ago, visit Hudson plating.
They still do things by hand, so maybe it is more like 100 years ago.
Nice if you are looking for history, but it does not do much for the quality of the finish - we had many times problems with parts rusting straight after coming from their shop. (we shipped something to Texas and customer complained that the parts were rusty as he opened the boxes). needless to say it was too far to return for replating - and the attitude of the staff is very arrogant - they did not take care of that.
I wish we had a choice of plater in town, but we don't, so we are STUCK.
I also do not like their billing (or is it bullying?) practices.
But that what you get when they know they are the only game in town.
I wish there was somewhere else to go.