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I will soon take possession of a 1909 Argentine Infantry Rifle. The metal finish is pretty good on most of the gun, but some of the furniture not so much. I would like to gently restore the finish on those parts. I know the buttplate, receiver, and bolt are in the white. Were any other parts in the white? Barrel bands? Bayonet mount? Cleaning rod? Band springs? Thanks for any help.
Barrel bands=blued, bayonet mount=white, cleaning rod-white, band springs=blued. Bolt body, extractor, collar, bolt shroud, cocking piece, safety all white. If you have ever seen a 1909 with its original blue intact it is incredible. More like a custom built rifle than a common military rifle. I hope this helps you, good luck with your 1909.
Thanks oldfoneguy. I should receive the gun in the next few days. I don't refinish guns, but I do like to restore them. When I look at a small piece, like a barrel band, if I can't tell the original finish it is difficult to try and bring it back. If it were originally blued, I might clean, steam and convert some red rust to black. But, if the same piece was originally in the white, then I have no problem getting more aggressive with the scrubbing. You don't by chance know anywhere I can see any good photos of an "as issued" specimen do you? Thanks again.
Let us have a look too? Both before and after would be nice...these are kind of hard to find.
These terrible pictures are all I have now. You can try an internet search but I have no idea what will come up. If nobody else can do better I'll try to get some good shots up next week.
I neglected to add the receiver is in the white also but you probably knew that already.
Oldfoneguy it looks like your barrel band is unfinished. That was one of the parts that were questionable to me. It seems like most photos I see that part appears to be in the white. Of course, it may just be that the finish on that part wears quicker than other pieces.
It's a combination of flash reflection and handling wear on the bluing. I did say that the pictures were terrible! But yes it is a blued part.
I finally managed to take a few shots of my 1909. You can clearly see the center band is blued if you look at the photo showing the band springs. There is a scratch on the band down to the white causing a contrast. I hope this helps you in some way.
To recap: butt plate, entire bolt and all its components, receiver, cleaning rod, bayonet lug & pin and stock cap under front band all in the white. Everything else is blued.
Edit: if your rifle was made there or went through an Argentine military refurb none of the components in the white would still be. Only untouched DWM rifles should look like this.
Thanks oldfoneguy. My rifle should arrive today and it looks very similar to yours (at least in the photos it does).
Attachment 104698 Well, I've had the rifle a couple of weeks now. Got her all restored how I wanted. Here are a few detailed pics. Thanks for all the help.
Very nice. That's a clean looking rifle, be proud of the work you did.
Thanks!