New to the group

I'm new to this group. Learning all the time about milsurps. Rekindled my interest with a 1933 Hex Mosin Nagant last summer. 5 Milsurps later, I'm having a ball learning about various milsurp rifles. My latest find is a RFI Ishapor 2A1. I'm trying to figure out how to put the original finish on it. I can tell its paint, but what type, sheen, or was it just gloss?
Anyway, hoping to learn from all of you, and at some point become an asset to the group instead of a tick.
Hope to hear from y'all soon.

Welcome to the forum Mike. You'll certainly get the best possible info available from the experts here. I would suggest you learn how to get photos attached to your posts which will get you maximum feedback- there's a sticky thread that shows how to upload directly from your harddrive which works real good as long as you keep individual images below a meg. As to your question, I also have a 2A1 and I would say the main characteristic of the paint is its inability to stick to metal! My rifle is mechanically very good but lots of paint flakes falling off. Maybe someone can confirm that the Indians did not use "suncorite".

Ridolpho

Can't say exactly what type of paint is on my 2A1 and Edwards doesn't mention it in his book, but it appears to be of reasonable quality. It looks similar to Suncorite with a "satin" finish and has worn a bit but not flaked off anywhere. Some Indian rifles that I've seen, probably later rebuilds, look to have been coated with cheap enamel or something. As we say at work; "Pile on the Krylon, when it runs you're done."

The Indians didn;t have access to Suncorite, most 2A1's I've seen are either just parkerized, or are parkerized with a semi-gloss black enamel paint. Hardware store stuff. Not terribly durable but looks OK if applied evenly.