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Thread: 1896 L.E.C Mk1 finish

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  1. #1
    Legacy Member cautionflamable's Avatar
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    1896 L.E.C Mk1 finish

    I have a Mk1 in pretty complete condition. It was a part of a batch I did some conservation work on for my step mom recently.
    I ended up buying the rifle and I have some questions about the finish.
    Some areas of the rifle appear to be blued and others have too much depth to them where the finish has been worn or almost chipped. These sections look more like a coating. I asked around one time and was told that it might be something called suncorite. I still couldn't find any real info though.

    What were enfields usually finished with?
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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

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    Advisory Panel Surpmil's Avatar
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    In that era it would have been a rust bluing process. There is a formula given in "Firearm Bluing and Browning" by R. H. Angier that purports to be one used at RSAF Enfield before WWI.
    “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes.”

    Edward Bernays, 1928

    Much changes, much remains the same.

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cautionflamable View Post
    I asked around one time and was told that it might be something called suncorite.
    Show us some pics and maybe we can help you.
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member Singer B's Avatar
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    Depending on where the rifle saw service, it could be Suncorite. It could have also been "bubba" with a spray can of BBQ paint. Pictures would definitely help you get a more accurate assessment.

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    Legacy Member cautionflamable's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Singer B View Post
    Pictures would definitely help you get a more accurate assessment.
    Agreed. working on it now

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    Legacy Member cautionflamable's Avatar
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    Everything has been through a rust conversion and cleaning. All the parts seem to be normal bluing for the most part (bands,screws,sight leaf,etc). There are worn spots on these parts that look like a normal worn area. The barrel and receiver seem to have a finish that is slightly more blue in hue and much thicker. It has physical depth to it where the finish has been worn in these areas.

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    Legacy Member cautionflamable's Avatar
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    It also resists a brass pick and phosphor brush like a blued finish would, so I am really just stumped.
    The magazine was definitely painted at some point. The paint melted off in the boiling water.

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    Try some acetone on a rag and see if it removes that coating.
    Regards, Jim

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    Legacy Member Fushigi Ojisan's Avatar
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    Or MPro7, had amazing luck with it


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    Contributing Member Singer B's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fushigi Ojisan View Post
    Or MPro7, had amazing luck with it
    I agree with that. I had to remove a large amount of Suncorite from an Ishapore 2A1 and the MPro-7 cut right through it.

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