1918 mk.III* finish

[bob4wd]

Gentlemen:
I have a 1918 dated mk.3* that appears to be all original, even has grease still in the forestock,has correct brass oiler, old sling with vertigris from the fittings, very tight draws. Plus it's all matching and has a decent bore. No rust, no pits. So what's not to like, you ask?
The metal finish on the entire gun except for the bolt, rear sight slide, and a couple small internal parts appears to have been grit-blasted, as in preparing for parkerizing. There is a brownish patina all over, like a 98 year old finish would be expected to look like. This was apparently done a very long time ago, as shown by the wearing away of the blasted surface where the bolt has been rubbing for all these years.
But as far as I can determine, SMLEs were blued, not parked back then.
There are no rebuild stamps, as near as I can tell. (Not that I'd recognize one if I saw it.)
If it helps, it is a V series Enfield as manufactured for SSA, and is so stamped on the rear receiver just behind the safety.
So- is it correct as-is (that is, once parked), rebuilt, bubba'd, or what?
Any thoughts, insights are appreciated.
Thanks much guys.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

Lots of these went through refinish as near as 70 years ago...how about some pics to see what you see?

[bob4wd]

Lots of these went through refinish as near as 70 years ago...how about some pics to see what you see?

A picture would be nice, I agree, but I only use an ipad and I have no idea how to get a picture from it to the forum. I've got pics, but can't get them uploaded. But I'll keep on it, might get smart!

[Sentryduty]

If you can download the Tapatalk app to your ipad, you can browse the forum with that lightweight app and use it to upload photos to a thread.

If you are interested I can provide more info and help walk you through it.

[browningautorifle]

You could also email me pics and I'll post them. PM me...

[bob4wd]

thanks for the suggestions on posting pics. I reverted to my desktop, after blowing the dust off and remembering how to turn it on, here are a couple of pics of the finish. very hard to make it out, but these are the best of the bunch.Attachment 73587Attachment 73588Attachment 73589Attachment 73590
Note the difference in texture between the rear sight assembly and the leaf itself.

[browningautorifle]

All that looks original and not a parkerizing at all. The bolt head is definitely later, it could have been headspaced anywhere along the line including last year...explaining the new bolthead. The rest of the rifle as far as I can see is original... We'd love more, bigger and detailed pics though. Looks like a nice one.

[Homer]

I agree. Photos are small on my phone but looks pretty normal.

[Flying10uk]

I suspect, with regards to the finish of the metal parts that it has not been grit blasted because it is a wartime produced rifle (1918) and the metal parts were not finished off to what they would be in peacetime. In my opinion, the very slightly rough/uneven surface is most likely how it left the factory when new but to some may have the appearance of a shot/bead blasted surface.

[bob4wd]

All good inputs, thanks. BuAttachment 73600Attachment 73608Attachment 73607Attachment 73606Attachment 73605Attachment 73604Attachment 73603Attachment 73602Attachment 73601Attachment 73609t here are some more, better, pictures showing the surfaces and a couple of overall views, as well as some individual highlights. i do not know how the barrels were dated, or even if they were dated, but one pic does show a '18 mark on the barrel. Everything points to all of the original parts being kept with the gun, except that there are some font differences visible (receiver, bolt, nosecap all the same, but barrel and sight leaf are different). I do notice the HV stamp by the sight, too. forestock font is same as barrel, but struck twice, once horizontal and once vertical-sorry, no pics, forgot to take one.
As always, eager to learn more, so comment away, i understand you want to help.
Oh, yeah, one more thing-I do recall a comment or two some time back that stated there was a general refurb of some sort in 1944 and maybe the 20's, which could maybe account for a parkerize. very little backup info, though.