No4 Rifle WW2 metal finish?

[Peter Laidler]

Makes you realise just how attractive those Sterling SMG's were......, if there is such a thing as an attractive SMG!

[Vincent]

My wife thinks I find the Mk4 attractive. She calls it “the other woman.”

India’s proposed replacement for their SAF Carbine A1 (Sterling Mk4)…. I hope it shoots better than it looks.

[Sentryduty]

That is... something! Keep an eye out, that thing will certainly show up in some sci-fi, dystopian film as a prop gun.

India, don't ever change!

[Schnitzelmahn]

Ok thanks for all the info, looks like I will fix the bluing on the gun, probably get somebody to do a proper hot bluing for me, unless cold blue is a viable option - ive heard it is not very consistent but can work for cleaning up areas that have had the finish worn off, which is the case with my rifle.
doing what I should probably have done a lot earlier, here are some pics of my project:




Now the real reason I want to redo the finish - my hardware is brand new and very dark while my barrel & receiver are not....

[Flying10uk]

I don't know if my Long Branch has had a full F.T.R. but I suspect not and it is in lovely used condition. If you decide to get some-one to re-blue your No4 for you be careful to tell them that you want a dull finish to the blue and not a modern bright shiny blue finish. The blueing on my Long Branch is fairly dull as I believe is generally correct for the time on most weapons. When I have needed to achieve a dull blue on small parts that I have re-blued at home I usually just phosphate the part then blue on top without polishing. Is any-one else able to provide any further details on the correct type of blueing, please?


I like the wrinkle finish black paint as applied to Sterlings and have noticed it, occasionally, on other non-military applications so I suspected that it was commercially available as Peter has said.

[browningautorifle]

India’s proposed replacement for their SAF Carbine

Nice...looks very...?