1903 Mark I Finish

[Sgt. Saunders]

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!!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Rick the Librarian]

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.

[Sgt. Saunders]

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.

So if the original finish was Parkerizing, would this be zinc, manganese or iron phosphating?

[John Beard]

So if the original finish was Parkerizing, would this be zinc, manganese or iron phosphating?

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.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

[Arisaka99]

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.

Hope this helps.

J.B.

John;

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?

[John Beard]

John;

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.

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.

[Rick the Librarian]

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.

[Chuckindenver]

manganese phosphate would be the closest choice available today. Iron Phosphate is not intended to be used on firearms.

[edlmann]

So if the original finish was Parkerizing, would this be zinc, manganese or iron phosphating?

Iron Phosphate is not intended to be used on firearms.

I would think that any sort of finish involving iron would be susceptible to it's own rust issues. Is that it?

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."

[Sgt. Saunders]

Thanks Gentlemen!!!!!!!