Chrome can make a steel fork stronger and prettier (and heavier). Many old school builders would chrome plate the fork , chainstay (1 or both sides) and sometime the whole frame & fork. You really need to know who made the fork and the metal used under the chome to determine anything about the fork. I sell Torelli bikes and forks (handmade in Italy with Columbus tubing) and the fork and frame can be chromed or not. You can also buy a $40 chromed fork. As long as the fork is working the way it was intended to be -- there is nothing to worry about.