Restoring the M1 Carbine

[INLAND44]

'Sounds like this came from the "humper's" bible'

What? The OP was recommending a carbine restoration that was simply an overall Parkerizing. I thought he should know that while it looks to be an excellent job (great color, etc.), 'the devil is in the details' as they say. I expect when someone uses the term 'restoration' that it's a passable restoration, not just a Park job. I do apologize to the OP for the harshness of my opening statement. I also had no intention of giving secret information to any humpers, and don't believe I did. Looking that post over again, I can see where several of my points do not apply to many carbines from various makers and serial number ranges - they're too general to be of any real use, and no mention was made of the various 'bluing' solutions/surface preps used from time to time. I don't think I've seen a restored carbine that could come close to fooling me, and I'm definitely not an expert. I think we've all seen people selling re-blued small parts, and of course it's true that many rebuilt carbines were totally Parkerized just like the OP's. You just wouldn't call those 'restorations'.

[PBI]

Guys I am sorry to have started a sh*tstorm. The receiver, slide and trigger housing I had reparked HAD VERY LITTLE FINISH left on it. The person I was helping would like to have a nice looking rifle that he can go out and shoot and be proud of its appearance. He is not going to sell it or misrepresent it as original. I had all the parts correctly finished in what would have been appropriate for the serial number range. The parts that should have been parked were parked and the parts that should have been dulite were dulited.
Nobody wants to drive around in an ugly 1963 split window Corvette and my friend dose'nt want to shoot an ugly M1 Carbine (which now looks great). There are very few people who use zinc to repark, they use manganiese (sp) and I thought I would pass the info along to you guys. Anyone who has collected these rifles should easily know how to spot a restoration, I do.
I will refrain from posting any advice regarding restoring a Carbine in the future. Again my apologies go out to who ever I upset.

[painter777]

PBI,
I for one don't feel a apology is called for.
You've cleared up what we needed to know about the Park service.
The guys offering the re-park should show an example with some of the Dulite finish.
That's where most of the questions arose from.
Collectors can decide how they want their firearms to look.
This is still the USA.....right?

Thanks Again
Charlie

[Hooks]

PBI, I ordered a CMP Winchester a while back. When I received it, my first impression was that is one ugly piece. Since it was mine and I could do with it as I saw fit, I decided to make it look nice. I replaced the parts that were not Winchester (not trying to make it correct but used no repo parts) including the stock. Fortunately I found what I needed, replaced them and sent it all to DGR to be made pretty. He reparked all metal, reworked the stock and sent it back to me. It is a very nice looking shooter that I have no intention of selling. As far as a collectable carbine, I have several that are exactly as they were when I purchased them and will never be tampered with as long as I have them.
I don’t think you owe anyone an apology.
BB

[phil441]

PBI, no apologies needed.
Personally, I feel this is a very informative thread.
Sh*tstorms are what keeps this forum alive. Without an occasional one, we would just keep rehashing the same old stuff!
And any thread that can get Tired Retired to the keyboard before coffee has got to be a keeper.

Just an opinion,
Phil

[Tired Retired]

PBI, you are an honest guy and you are just trying to learn - its obvious from your attitude because you CARE. The board greatly appreciates honest guys. Don't let these old farts intimidate you. I enjoy the fact that I may be retired but I am still YOUNGER than most of them! And as far as a "Sh*tstorm", I wouldn't participate in a board where I couldn't stir one some up from time to time.


Now, back to your ORIGINAL posted topic. I would have preferred to see pics of the actual work on your friend’s carbine. The link you gave us of the similar work is not something I care for on my carbines. I can look past the extreme green of the color, but I do not like the thickness of the finish. The trigger housing pics look extremely thick to the point where markings are filled in. It looks like a really thick enamel paint that was brushed on – like a dancer with too much make-up!

I’m lucky in that the NPM that I just got from CPM appears to have been reparked during its last armory rebuild and then placed in storage. The park is no where as thick and I like it appearing “naturally” close to original. Guess I like my old gals “au natural”. Just my opinion…

[PBI]

I know I am still learning about these things. I wish I knew more about them and could contribute something meaningful to M1 Carbine collecting. I promise to try harder next time I decide to do something related to this hobby.

[painter777]

I'd appreciate that Paul,
Next time you set up and judge a National M1 Carbine Show like the ones in Bhama.........
Please get your act together !

I would like everyones opinion. - Military Surplus Collectors Forums

;-)
Charlie

[PBI]

I promise I will or I will start collecting Armatron watches instead of M1 Carbines!

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Paul,

Any update on you bringing the Carbine show to Dallas next September? I'm already planning my 1,800 mile drive there.