repainting my Enfield's metal parts

I have a No. 5 Mk.1 Jungle Carbine that I bought in a pawn shop for $150, and it's already "ruined" because of the three holes that were drilled and tapped in the receiver for the scope mount.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

Is my understanding correct that Enfields actions & barrels were painted black? "IF" I were to get a burst of ambition and decide to try and restore it to looking like new, what should I use to repaint the steel parts with? I've never seen a rifle that was painted black before and have no idea what was used.

Just curious right now, I don't have any "plans" to do anything at the moment, but the wood is likely to be first.

I'm repeating myself for the zillionth time here but we overhauled to FTR condition several thousands of these rifles. They were stripped, degreased, bead blasted, phosphated, painted in sunkorite spirit based paint, oven baked then hot oil dipped and reassembled. Nothing more or less.

BDL in SC can replicate it for you quite easily so I am lead to believe.

Treatment for the wood has also been mentioned here too.............

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Originally Posted by rondog

I have a No. 5 Mk.1 Jungle Carbine that I bought in a pawn shop for $150, and it's already "ruined" because of the three holes that were drilled and tapped in the receiver for the scope mount.

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"Ruined"? I think not. What's a few holes between friends? If I was you I'd leave it as it is. (Perhaps remove the scope? Maybe [double maybe in fact] plug the holes with screws and cut them flush?) ) The loss of its WWII paint is part of its history and that woodwork looks really good to me - I'd leave it alone. That is a good looking No5 and for $150 - what a bargain!

It's true, the screw holes can be made all gone more or less. The rest looks pretty good.

What temp were they dried at in the oven?

TIA

Farmritch

200c for an hour if I remember correctly. This did something to the pigment in the paint that cured it in a way that air drying doesn't It also made the paint impervious to the feared mosquito repellent too

Actually, I've found all the parts for the rear sight and installed it, and the rifle shoots quite well so far. I have to do a lot more practice with it though. But, since it's got a scope and mount already, and the mount will clear the rear sight, I'm thinking about putting the scope back on. I want this rifle as a shooter, not a wallhanger or safe queen. And my old eyes could sure use the extra benefit of the scope.

I don't have any "plans" to mess with the finish of the metal or the wood, other than a dismantling and good scrubbing. The old gal is filthy. But it WAS a helluva score for $150, I have a couple threads here about it already, with lots more photos.