No4 Mk1 Finish

[Col.Colt]

Can anyone tell me if the finish on this No4 Mk1 is original? Any help would be appreciated .

Information

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[Peter Laidler]

If you mean 'original' in as it left the factory in whatever, then I'd say NO simply because it's too good. From photo 2, looking towards the top of the body, it looks like a quick blow job with a can of satin black aerosol. But I could be wrong.

[Col.Colt]

Hi Peter, Yes if even looks like the paint run on the side of the receiver. Were any of the receivers painted with black paint from the factory? The gun has "K" serial number so I assume is must be of BSA manufacture. All the serial numbers match. The guns looks as though it was never issued that's why I question the finish.

[ssj]

I would have said WW2 No4 mk1s were blackened or blued and not painted. I think 1950s FTR'd guns though might well have small parts black painted?

Also paint could be used to hide a non-matching serial number. From experience I dont like it when I cant see the original condition of something, it is usually a bad sign.

regards

[303tom]

Original ? NO !.................

[Surpmil]

You might as well strip it off and do it yourself IMO. Almost looks like a brush job with the bits stuck in it.

[Col.Colt]

Yes, It dose appear to be brushed on. So it is safe to assume it did not come out of the BSA factory like that?

[Peter Laidler]

FTR guns were all painted SSJ, same as Base Workshop repairs. That was the problem with the Fazakerley No4's, Sten guns and L2A3 guns. The serial numbers were etched VERY lightly then after the first Base workshop or FTR, they'd become invisible.

[ssj]

Yes....and I'd be concerned on what nasties the paint is hiding.

[Peter Laidler]

You can be rest assured that the wood definately didn't come from BSA or anywhere like that either! What it really needs is a proper FTR finish. That is bead blast back to white metal, deep phosphate and then painting