What is metal finish on Model 1909 Argentine?

[daveboy]

I will soon take possession of a 1909 Argentine Infantry Rifle. The metal finish is pretty good on most of the gun, but some of the furniture not so much. I would like to gently restore the finish on those parts. I know the buttplate, receiver, and bolt are in the white. Were any other parts in the white? Barrel bands? Bayonet mount? Cleaning rod? Band springs? Thanks for any help.

[oldfoneguy]

Barrel bands=blued, bayonet mount=white, cleaning rod-white, band springs=blued. Bolt body, extractor, collar, bolt shroud, cocking piece, safety all white. If you have ever seen a 1909 with its original blue intact it is incredible. More like a custom built rifle than a common military rifle. I hope this helps you, good luck with your 1909.

[daveboy]

Thanks oldfoneguy. I should receive the gun in the next few days. I don't refinish guns, but I do like to restore them. When I look at a small piece, like a barrel band, if I can't tell the original finish it is difficult to try and bring it back. If it were originally blued, I might clean, steam and convert some red rust to black. But, if the same piece was originally in the white, then I have no problem getting more aggressive with the scrubbing. You don't by chance know anywhere I can see any good photos of an "as issued" specimen do you? Thanks again.

[browningautorifle]

Let us have a look too? Both before and after would be nice...these are kind of hard to find.

[oldfoneguy]

These terrible pictures are all I have now. You can try an internet search but I have no idea what will come up. If nobody else can do better I'll try to get some good shots up next week.
I neglected to add the receiver is in the white also but you probably knew that already.

[daveboy]

Oldfoneguy it looks like your barrel band is unfinished. That was one of the parts that were questionable to me. It seems like most photos I see that part appears to be in the white. Of course, it may just be that the finish on that part wears quicker than other pieces.

[oldfoneguy]

It's a combination of flash reflection and handling wear on the bluing. I did say that the pictures were terrible! But yes it is a blued part.

[oldfoneguy]

I finally managed to take a few shots of my 1909. You can clearly see the center band is blued if you look at the photo showing the band springs. There is a scratch on the band down to the white causing a contrast. I hope this helps you in some way.


To recap: butt plate, entire bolt and all its components, receiver, cleaning rod, bayonet lug & pin and stock cap under front band all in the white. Everything else is blued.


Edit: if your rifle was made there or went through an Argentine military refurb none of the components in the white would still be. Only untouched DWM rifles should look like this.

[daveboy]

Thanks oldfoneguy. My rifle should arrive today and it looks very similar to yours (at least in the photos it does).

[daveboy]

Well, I've had the rifle a couple of weeks now. Got her all restored how I wanted. Here are a few detailed pics. Thanks for all the help.