White Gas Cylinder

[Bill Hollinger]

JBS, great reading however, if I read that right it is referring to black finishes. The first few mentioned may be a lighter color as they don't distinguish between black or other color.

[JBS]

JBS, great reading however, if I read that right it is referring to black finishes. The first few mentioned may be a lighter color as they don't distinguish between black or other color.

Yes you are correct. I wonder, are there any markings at all on the unfinished cylinder? Can it be a reproduction? Metal surface just not the fine grain finish of an original unit. Almost like a sand cast copy from an original?

EDIT: I just noticed the Proof Punch mark is missing on the bottom of the bayonet lug.

[Bill Hollinger]

JBS, I kind of doubt these samples are reproductions. The reason I say that is two fold, first you have a true subject expert, Bob Seijas, who is looking for answers and if it was as easy as labeling it a reproduction then that would be the end of it and no further discussion would be needed. Second, there are period and modern photographs showing this anomaly rather clearly. I am curious as to the photo links Mr Seijas posted and to whom this rifle belongs. A close inspection would be all telling.

[JBS]

JBS, I kind of doubt these samples are reproductions. The reason I say that is two fold, first you have a true subject expert, Bob Seijas, who is looking for answers and if it was as easy as labeling it a reproduction then that would be the end of it and no further discussion would be needed. Second, there are period and modern photographs showing this anomaly rather clearly. I am curious as to the photo links Mr Seijas posted and to whom this rifle belongs. A close inspection would be all telling.

Very good. Any speculation why the hardness test punch mark is missing or not where it normally is?

[Bill Hollinger]

No, none.

[Tom Doniphon]

I have a December '41 Lend-Lease that has a gas cylinder like the one in Bob's linked photo. It is marked with an ampersand (&) on the upper flat of the rear ring and the number 5 stamped into the flat just behind the stacking swivel. There's no punch mark on the bottom of the bayo lug. It looks like it's unfinished. However, upon close examination there are small areas, particularly some of the more protected areas, that appear to have what is left of some kind of finish, probably the Molyblack stuff they were using back then.

The gas cylinder on Tom Gray's rifle looks like it may have had a finish on it too. You can see in the photo what appears to be a darker area on the lower rear part of the sight base.

Are there any markings on any of these similar gas cylinders?

[Bill Hollinger]

Tom D, are you able to post close up photos of yours?

[jmoore]

It may seem OT, but were any gas trap cylinders blackened?

Just trying to get a feel for changes in production.

[browningautorifle]

Good point, I've never seen one blackened...

[Bob Seijas]

It's a very interesting subject, and I have been investigating it for several years for an article. Although all the Gas Trap cylinders found with original finish are a plum brown, I don't believe that's the color in which they were finished. IMO, they were black, but aged to brown with sunlight, handling, and oil. I have seen one or two with a black color in the protected area under the barrel. More work to be done on this.