G'Day No 4 and 5 rifle gurus, I am seeking your detailed knowledge.

I'm challenged with the task of refinishing a 1947 No 5 Mk 1 rifle to 'as issued' status and I am searching for definitive information on the actual surface finishes used.

I understand that post factory, these rifles could have been repaired, repainted, refinished in a thousand ways, some in service, some at Unit level, some FTR some by dealers or collectors prior to onselling.

Questions I'm looking to answer:

  1. What was the original steel surface finish of the No 4 and No 5 wartime/immediate post war rifles?
  2. Was the painted surface finish regularly 'touched up' at Unit workshop level, or was this Base/Factory applied?
  3. How were engraved markings preserved when recoating receiver?

I have read several comments about rifles being 'Parked and Blacked', understanding this to refer to parkerising the base steel then coating with a (brittle?) enamel paint. Previous research has led me to believe that UKicon rifles were 'blackened' or oil blackened, a version of bluing. My understanding may be way off line?

Any little pieces of information that you may be able to contribute to correcting my knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
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