68 Barracuda grill insert detail

As a kid being eye level with my Dads 68 Formula S grills I remember the tips of the inserts being chrome. I have asked a few people and they tend to think it was argent in color with flat black within the frame area.

My inserts were original untouched and I could still see the flat black areas and they were still in good shape concidering the age. As for the horizonal "Gills" they looked just like the instrument cluster where it was once chrome and had this gray substance instead.

I found a pic from an advertisment and it sure looks like chrome to me???

Anyone know for sure?? I painted mine Charcoal gray and want to chrome the edges of the "Gills".