M1 Carbine Finish

[REDHAWK]

Just picked up an Inland (2-44) Metal is Ex. Wood is without a blemish except bubba sanded the finish off on everthing but upper hg. Of course all markings are gone too. Would like to salvage what I can. What were they finished with?

[Claven2]

The metal was (generally) parkerized. Some parts were blued depending on maker. The wood should be oil finished - usually it was dipped in boiling linseed oil and left to hang-dry at thefactory. This can be replicated by hand-rubbing boiled linseed oil into the wood.

DON'T BOIL RAW LINSEED OIL!!! IT WILL CATCH FIRE! "Boiled Linseed Oil" is sold that way - raw linseed with drying agents added.

[REDHAWK]

Thanks Claven:
With hg still original wanted to get it rite the first time.

[stencollector]

On an Inland of that era, the bolt should be blued. It will be different from the rest of the gun.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/stencollector/m1a1-4.jpg