I recently picked up this 6 1/2" Pioneer snare, simply due to the date stamp being late 1962, which is the year I was born. I am wondering what would be the best way to get the shell shiny again. As you can see in the pictures, where the rims and lugs were it's much brighter. Am I correct in assuming that this is a mahogany shell, and not lacquer? Did they stain and then clearcoat the shells, so I could treat it like any other piece of finished wood? I'm also wondering if the hardware is nickel. I don't have much experience with nickel, so will it pit and flake like chrome? I tried to get good pictures but I didn't have much luck.

Thanks.