Confused on new inland......blued....

[Bubba-7]

It is a rare serial number range.

[vintage hunter]

Too cold temperature if I recall. Or too weak of a solution

Wouldn't that have likely affected more than just one part? Assuming they were all blued together at the same time, that it. IIRC parts with a higher nickel content will come out this color when blued in the wrong solution. It's been 20+ years since I fooled with blueing guns so my memory could be a bit off.

[browningautorifle]

Wouldn't that have likely affected more than just one part

No, you're right. We used to see it in Winchester new "Smokeless" BBLs more than anything. And assuming the whole thing was done together...nickel content did seem to have an effect.

[vintage hunter]

Used to see similar happenings with Winchester made 1894's. I never have been able to find out for sure and certain but I have read on several occasions the receivers were made of nodular iron rather than steel until around 1979-80 when Winchester contracted with USRAC to produce them. Those would turn more of a reddish color than nickel steel and wore off fairly quick.

[USGI]

It is a rare serial number range.

Please tell us a little more about this s/n range. Thanks! - Bob

[browningautorifle]

Used to see similar happenings with Winchester made 1894's.

Exactly what I was referring to. Didn't make myself too clear with "Winchesters"...sometimes we did them as stainless and that worked, sometimes a real strong solution and sometimes over the top hot...which would have rusted milder stuff. We determined it must be nickel content. (?)

[zage tactical]

yes please explain the serial number thing. and also going to get a gi rear sight for it, what would be correct, stamped or milled? also on these late models what is the proper Parkerizing....grey or black? my arsenal rebuid one is grey thanks

[ChipS]

This carbine will never be anything more than a shooter. That being said, your early IBM rear sight is worth about 75% of what you paid for the whole carbine. Sell it and buy a nice milled adjustable USGI rear sight for about $40, a better sight for shooting, and you will still recover more than 50% of your original cost. Replacement USGI stocks are cheap but re-parkerizing the metal is not. However, if you replace the sight, re-stock & re-park you should still end up with a very nice looking refinished shooter for probably not more than 50% of the market re-sale value of the finished project. If it were mine I would lose the bayonet lug before rep-parking to make it look more WWII vintage, but that's just matter of personal taste. Good buy. Congrats.

Added: Sorry. I failed to read your statemet that the rear sight was a "knock-off". Do you know this to be fact. We only have one view but that IBM flip sight looks original to me and if so it is worth perhaps $150. My post was based upon the sight being the real deal. Ether way, still appears to be a good buy. ChipS

[zage tactical]

so bayonet lugs were only post ww2? and I didn't realize it was a real rear sight, thought it was a cheap knock off.....think I will sell it.....and I think I will try to find a correct band also as you suggested ....thanks

[USGI]

I've been wondering about the "IBM" rear sight, too. It looks like it's marked on the left side, unless it's installed backwards. Couldn't tell for sure about that either. I've got a 5.4M and it came with the stamped rear sight, barrel is marked 8-44. - Bob