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Must have been black paint. I used paint stripper, although I recall it took several applications. Sorry for propagating a falsehood. I thought it was Suncorite (at the time) because although thick or uneven in places, it was very tenacious. Thanks for correcting the record.
Masterchief, No apology necessary here. You may not have propagated a falsehood. I'd guess some of the brutal paint strippers out there might remove it. I've never tried because usually when weapons are here for BDL FTR, they get the full treatment of degrease, bead blast, phosphate, paint and bake. What type stripper did you use? Brian
The FN-49 rifles in Belgian service were apparently coated with an industrial-strength grey finish. Some were later given the once-over with a black finish quite similar to Suncorite.
I vaguely recall that a number of No4 T kits were supplied to Belgium post WW2, along with a swag of .303 Brens; hence the packets of FN .303 ball and tracer ammo clearly marked "Pour Bren".
The absence of Belgian proofs / ownership markings may indicate a more recent "refurbishment".
To my simple eyes it just looks like a very sh-ty job with a spray can of grey primer
It could be grey paint. It's hard to tell from the pictures.
"What type stripper did you use?"
Some variety of Klean Strip aerosol, although after 15 years I don't remember exactly. Most likely their "paint and varnish" remover. I also used fine bronze bristle brushes to help the process along and (to repeat) it took several applications.
The No.4T could be ex Belgium Army, pre SAFN and FAL rifles, they painted their rifles grey. Their Hi Powers and FN-D automatic rifles were also painted grey.
Ah....., Belgium......, that could answer where the old Brownings came from that we rebuilt under a Crown Agents MAP programme some years ago. There were a load of old Inglis No2's amongst them too
I'd think Belgium also, for what it's worth. It looks just like the Stens and Hi Powers I've seen. I understood they did #4s and Brens too. Don't see why it's so hard to believe...
Wasn't that some sort of teflon based coating as done in Belgium? I saw an Inglis Hi-Power with that light grey finish many years ago. It was marketed as a Belgium teflon job.