Exterior Door Handle Ouestion

[Taylormade]

I'm getting ready to take the exterior door handles from my 1932 Dodge Brothers DL sedan to the chrome shop.  I'm trying to figure out how to remove the decorative escutcheon from the handle itself.  As you can see in the photo, the escutcheon is held to the square shaft by the round washer, which in turn is held in place by two peened extensions on each side.  If I file them off to free the round washer that holds everything together, how do I put them back together after the chrome is applied - there won't be anything to peen over?  This looks like one of the few instances on these old cars where something was designed NOT to be taken apart.  I'd love to hear from anyone who has dealt with this in the past.

 

[Beltfed]

I've done this several times on Packard's. After the chrome shop is done with them I carefully spot weld a bead with a mig welder set on low current where the penned section was before removal. Worked great for me.

[Curti]

I put the shank in the vice and push it until the spring is compressed then hit each corner with a hammer and chisel. 

[Bhigdog]

Drill through the shaft and use a 1/16 roll pin to hold the washer..........Bob

[Friartuck]

I like Bhigdog's suggestion of using the rolled pin over welding. Pin could be removed if needed in the future.