
Starvel is electrolysis nickel, in which nickel is chemically bonded to steel or aluminum by an immersion process, not by electrical discharge. It is much thinner, but harder and more durable than conventional nickelplating, and does not require an intermediate plating of copper.
Note: The "PD" designation does not stand for "Police Department", it stands for the guy that came up with the idea for the Star PD in a lightweight 45acp which is very similar to the Star BM that a few of us here have, the "PD" designation is for Pete Dicky who submitted his idea to the fine old firm of Star Bonafacia, in Spain.