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I have been getting conflicting opinions as to if this is a WRA finish or not.
It is dark ,smooth ,thin finish and has a purpleish hue in certain light. Anyone seen a WRA finish like this before?
Thanks
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3f8d988c-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...3c3a3f11-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...40ce1ba2-1.jpg
Not original from all I have seen. The 108527 is an early original Dulite and the 1.3 is later original like yous should be. Notice difference with flash. Your rifle looks to have been blues. Hope this helps. Rick B
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../03/i6ua-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../03/dzhg-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../03/68z1-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../03/c58j-1.jpg
The correct finish should be a parkerized finish. I have seen this purple finish before which I believe is a black oxide finish which has not taken to the type of steel these weapons are made of, may be with a high nickel or chromium content. Not sure if this treatment is non traditional to older methods of bluing blacking or a modern day treatment which does not take likely to harden steels. I am sure if you used this treatment on mild steels you would get traditional blues and blacks depending on the surface finish ie polished or sandblasting.
Now that I look again the Purple plummish color is something that happened when the Greeks tried to blue over eh old rifles. I have an 03 they did this with. This is it below and then with a little cleaning and then Aluminum Black to make it more pleasant. Rick B
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../03/oh2y-1.jpg
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../03/y2jj-1.jpg
I have seen this done on 30 and 50 machineguns, someone trying to blue black but the finish not taking.
My friend has a Greek return he picked up at CMP North, same finish.
Sometimes the bluing salts aren't strong enough and the nickel content of Winchester especially, will take a purple hue. The old finish could be removed with a couple of different liquid processes and then into the tank. But no, not original.
Also due to the Heat Treat on the heal it will take the blue color unlike the rest of the receiver.