Help needed! Yoda Saber... Removing paint from metal

Hey hey...

So I'm working on a Yoda saber from a Bolsey Flash...

The end cap is incorrect, and I don't have any replacement ideas... so I figure I would try and make the one it comes with work... to an extent.

It's black painted, but metal underneath... it looks as if some had already been scratched off....


photo (7) by Ellery Van, on Flickr

I thought of sanding off the rest, but don't want it to look scratched all to hell either...

has anyone sanded off paint this way before... start with a harsh paper and work down to fine... will it look ****ty? how can I shine it up to a smooth metal (I don't have a metal working shop... I do everything on my tiny coffee table in my tiny condo...)

Suggestions?

Thanks!