No.4 Mk1 (T) restoration project

[Roger Payne]

I would concur absolutely with what Peter says about the awful paint these scopes come covered in. I've restored a few with Peter's help in the past & I always get the tubes bead blasted to totally remove all traces of the paint. You can then phos & suncorite them for a 'proper' military spec refurbished finish.

[RobD]

Peter, when you refer to a "quick blow job", how quick would you reckon would be classified as "quick?"
Rob

[Peter Laidler]

Ah, yes Rob. Got my words mixed up. I meant to say a quick blow-over with a can of aerosol. An easy mistake to make at my age!

[CINDERS]

"Classified" would be a better word!

[peval65]

I would concur absolutely with what Peter says about the awful paint these scopes come covered in. I've restored a few with Peter's help in the past & I always get the tubes bead blasted to totally remove all traces of the paint. You can then phos & suncorite them for a 'proper' military spec refurbished finish.

OK I will strip all the old paints (indian and the surviving original) then I have to refinish the scope but do not understand well the correct way...with "phos & suncorite" do you intend phosphating job then suncorite spray?
I do not see any phosphating trace....maybe a light blueing on the iron parts....
As I told I am new on Enfields and really do not know well what Suncorite is.....paint I suppose but is it still available?...and where?
I could blead blast the scope but is it really necessary?...it is a strong process..
...please let me understand.

In addition in the weekend I would strip the black spray can paint from the whole action and barrel....then I will post some pics of the underneath finish and conditions.
Which was the original finish of the rifle?

Thanks and thanks again for the patience!
Paolo

[rgg_7]

Indian refurbished rifles including "T" are painted with a heavy coat of black enamel over the existing surface. I can be easily removed with most commercial chemical strippers. Done for climate protection however does not adhere 100% hence flake off as evidenced on your Enfield. If you decided on restoration to "Indian Specifications" I would chemically strip the painted surfaces and reapply the same paint. If you want Brit finish then you would bead blast, phosphate and coat with Suncorite. The Suncorite is nasty stuff, requires the appropriate PPE and needs to be baked on....best left to a professional. Suncorite is difficult to source and pricey. Maybe somebody in the UK could help you with its procurement?

Your Watson scope was originally "Blued" and received a heavy paint coat while in India. To restore, the scope must be dismantled, cleaned then blued or bead blasted/phosphated/Suncorited and necessary repairs done prior to reassembly. I'd recommend sending it to a Professional if you decide to go this way. I would be inclined to stay with the Indian finish and spry with black enamel.

Always a difficult decision on degree of restoration. Your No4T has a long and interesting history. The "Indian Specification" preserves that linage.

My thoughts..sure there are others,

Ron (Canada)

[Roger Payne]

Ron makes a good point. If you want to keep the scope in 'Indian trim' then you only need to get it stripped & cleaned, the horrible paint removed, & then repaint it with the black enamel (but maybe a little more carefully than the Indians did originally!). The bead blasting, phosphating & suncoriting would only be correct for a 'British spec' refurbishment. Yes, the scope was originally blued, but in UK service the standard for refurbishment is to go with the 'phos & blacked' finish, regardless of the original finish on the scope.

[peval65]

Ron makes a good point. If you want to keep the scope in 'Indian trim' then you only need to get it stripped & cleaned, the horrible paint removed, & then repaint it with the black enamel (but maybe a little more carefully than the Indians did originally!). The bead blasting, phosphating & suncoriting would only be correct for a 'British spec' refurbishment. Yes, the scope was originally blued, but in UK service the standard for refurbishment is to go with the 'phos & blacked' finish, regardless of the original finish on the scope.

As told I decided to keep the rifle to "Indian specification", so here is what I think to do:
I will strip the old paint (almost done) and will blue the scope....here is the first question....was it blued on iron parts only or even the brass ones?..because I have the way to oxidize brass also....then I will re-paint the scope with black paint medium matt (not the cheap spray can, I will use coachbuilder paint where I can have every gloss rate and high quality).

About optics I have a retired man near my town that repairs rifle scopes by 30 years...these are quite rare here in Italy but I believe he is quite skilled in this job.

Another question: the scope can is a correct No.8 Mk1 but again over painted with a number which I do not know the meaning (please take a look to the pics)....Underneath I can see a green matt paint like "olive drab".....What do you suggest for this part?

Thanks.
Paolo

[boristhepig]

Hi
Peval 65 and others looking for a copy of An armourers perspective .303 No.4 (T) sniper rifle. Try gunshowbooks.com they did have several copies available.

[browningautorifle]

That scope will be gorgeous once done. Many aren't in anywhere near that condition...