Reblue or not

[Bricari]

A general question on whether to re-blue metal components or not. I know re-blue is probably not the correct term when discussing Lee Enfield metal components especially when related to the Mark I No III* or earlier.

I have a number of bands (Lee Enfield and Metford) and even a couple of nose caps that have gotten to the stage where the color has disappeared all together.

Is it professional to re apply the color to the metal?

I was once told that originally the metal components were heated and then dipped into oil to achieve the desired effect, is this true?

Comments appreciated.

Information

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[jmoore]

I have a number of bands (Lee Enfield and Metford) and even a couple of nose caps that have gotten to the stage where the color has disappeared all together.

Is it professional to re apply the color to the metal?

I was once told that originally the metal components were heated and then dipped into oil to achieve the desired effect, is this true?

Comments appreciated.

Some parts were finished by the method above, but also what is now known as "rust bluing" was another method used. It's time and labor intensive, though, so not many folk do it anymore, except on double shotguns.

[Alan de Enfield]

I was going to type it all out but its late at night so you'll just have to save the scan, rotate it and read it, or turn your monitor on its side !!!



Taken from :
"Machining The Lee-Enfield Barrel" (Operations and fixtures Employed) May 25th 1916