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Hi gentlemen, just getting into the 1903..Got a 1903 with the markings : US SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MODEL 1903 MARK I seriel# 10547xx. When was this made? It only has 10% finish and I want to have it reblued. Im confused because my bolt is parked. What was the original finish? TIA!! :help:
Your rifle was serialized, either at the very end of 1918 or the very beginning of 1919. At that time, I believe Springfield had started using a black Parkerizing treatment and had ended bluing rifles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick the Librarian
So if the original finish was Parkerizing, would this be zinc, manganese or iron phosphating?
I'll let others mopre knowledgeable than I answer, although I'm virtually positive it was not the first two.
One thing to keep in mind is that if your rifle is a mixmaster, with several WWII replacement parts, I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to refinish to post-WWI standards. If it is totally correct (with Mark I parts) I would also not want to refinish, as you will lower the value significently IMHO.
The original finish on your Mark I rifle was olive-grey parkerizing covered on all exposed surfaces with black paint. The receiver was finished with a different substance of unknown chemical composition that is best replicated with glossy black enamel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sgt. Saunders
Hope this helps.
J.B.
manganese phosphate would be the closest choice available today. Iron Phosphate is not intended to be used on firearms.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sgt. Saunders
I would think that any sort of finish involving iron would be susceptible to it's own rust issues. Is that it?Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckindenver
FWIW; AFAIK; IMHO; YMMV; yadda, yadda, yadda.
Regards, Ed Mann
Bobby Bowden is doing a fine job - just leave him alone.
Albert says, "Click here for free Gator wallpaper."
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...aGators2-1.png
Thanks Gentlemen!!!!!!! :thup:
not sure, im only going by what my suppier states, i dont use one of the Brownells, or other solutions, i get mine from the same company the US military used.
it may be too harsh, or too thick.
John;Quote:
Originally Posted by John Beard
You are the second knowledgeable collector I have heard this from. What is the source of the information and how come we don't routinely see at least some Mk1s in this original trim? Do you have any photos?
The source of my information is examining literally hundreds of Mark I rifles from when I worked as a volunteer at the CMP.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arisaka99
All Mark I rifles went through WWII. The very large majority of them got overhauled and refinished. Most got re-barreled with 1942-dated barrels. The survival rate of original examples is very small. And those with the black paint still intact are virtually non-existent.
Be aware that some Mark I rifles were overhauled and refinished in batches during WWII. And got their Mark I parts re-installed back on them. So, there are some Mark I rifles in circulation that look original but, in fact, are not. The CMP, for example, just auctioned one. And that's how they found it.
I'll search my files for photos.
J.B.
Springfield covered the parkerized finish with a black OIL DYE. Often on original and very rare guns, the dye is found on the inside of the stock barrel channel. Email me directly and I can give you more data.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sgt. Saunders
Wayne