Lee metford/Enfield cavalry carbine restoration

[englishman_ca]

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Two that I just restocked. The 1898 one has a spliced front section, the 1899 has new front wood complete.

For the most part, I don't refinish metalwork. Only if I have some major problem that requires machining or draw filing will I rust blue. I have a wooden rusting box (transit chest with steam feed), it is time consuming, yes, but a finish that can't be duplicated with anything out of a bottle.

The nose caps and barrel bands were originally oil blackened I believe. Fairly simple process too, but takes practice to get it just right. Basically the part is heated in an iron box on a camp stove, then dropped into used motor oil, washed and repeated until the desired black is produced. Tough as nail finish.